Persistent Radical Tetrathiafulvalene-Based 2D Metal-Organic Frameworks and Their Application in Efficient Photothermal Conversion

A series of stable radical 2D metal-organic frameworks has been assembled. (m-TTFTB)(3) (m-Tetrathiafulvalene-tetrabenzoate) trimer building blocks are beneficial for the stability of the radicals due to delocalization of the unpaired electron. Hexanuclear rare-earth-cluster-based 1D chains further enhance the stability of the frameworks. The radical state of the middle TTF in the trimer has been observed by the change of central C-C and C-S bond distances and the configuration of the TTF by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The radical characteristics are also confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance, UV/Vis-NIR absorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments. Stability tests showed that the radicals are stable even in solutions and under acid/base environments (pH 1-12). Owing to efficient light absorption due to intramolecular charge transfer, low thermal conductivity, and outstanding stability, the radical 2D Dy-MOF shows excellent photothermal properties, an increase of 34.7 degrees C within 240 s under one-sun illumination.