Synthesis, crystal structures, and electrochemical properties of metal complexes based on 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione

Abstract

Two new isomorphic metal complexes, [M(phon)(H₂O)₄]·SO₄·2H₂O (M = Ni and Zn, 1-Ni and 1-Zn, respectively, phon = 1,10-phenanthroline-5,6-dione), were crystallized at room temperature. Single-crystal X-ray analyses reveal that a metal ion is coordinated with one phon ligand and four coordinated water molecules into a discrete coordination structure which expands into a 3D supramolecular structure via hydrogen bonding interactions. The thermal and electrochemical properties of the complexes are investigated. The results show that 1-Ni exhibits redox activity under alkaline conditions and has potential to act as a redox reaction mediator, while 1-Zn does not. The specific capacitance of 1-Ni_0.5Zn_0.5, obtained by mixing the two complexes under hydrothermal condition, is four times higher than that of 1-Ni.

Keywords:

• 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione
• metal complex
• pseudocapacity

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

We acknowledge the fund of the Scientific Research Project of Guangzhou Science and Technology Project (202102080326) and South China Normal University.