Uranyl-organic hybrid material with semi-rigid polycarboxylate: Synthesis, structure, luminescence and photocatalytic properties

One novel uranyl carboxylate complex [(UO 2 ) ( L) ·2H 2 O] ( 1 ) (H 2 L =4-carboxymethoxy-benzoic acid) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions by the reaction of UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 ·6H 2 O and H 2 L in aqueous system. X-ray analysis of single crystal structure determined that complex 1 exhibits one-dimensional ribbon structure, in which, the UO 2 2+ ions are bridged by L 2− . The one-dimensional chains are further connected into 3D supramolecular network by O H…O hydrogen bond interactions between the coordinated water molecule and the coordinated carboxylic oxygen. The π…π interactions between adjacent benzene rings also contribute the structure formation. Complex 1 exhibits emblematic charge-transfer green emission of uranyl-bearing complexes. The UV–vis absorption spectra reveal distinct light absorption both on the ultraviolet and visible regions for 1 . Photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solutions using Complex 1 was studied, 78.3% of the RhB was degraded in only 80 min. Our obtained uranyl coordination polymer represents effective RhB photocatalytic degradation materials in aqueous solution. Infrared spectroscopy, TGA and PXRD were also discussed.