A Bis(terpyridine)nickel(II)-Based Coordination Nanosheet: A Redox-Active Material with Flexibility and Transparency

We report a novel functional bis(terpyridine)metal(II) complex coordination nanosheet (CONASH) comprising a three-armed terpyridine ligand and Ni2+ ion. The colourless Ni-terpyridine CONASH was synthesized by the method of interfacial coordination reaction at an interface of two immiscible liquids. The synthesized CONASH was characterized with various microscopic observations such as TEM, SEM, and AFM, and spectroscopic measurements such as XPS, IR, SEM/EDS, and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The bis(terpyridine)nickel(II) complex nanosheet demonstrated redox-activity stemming from terpyridine complexes without distinctive colour change. Thus, the bis(terpyridine)nickel(II) coordination nanosheet is a potential redox-active material with colourlessness and flexibility, necessary for future transparent electronics.