Semiconducting properties of pyridyl appended linear dicarboxylate based coordination polymers: theoretical prediction via DFT study

Abstract

Coordination polymers (CPs) in recent times have emerged as active constituents in many semiconductor devices like light emitting diodes (LED), field effect transistors (FET), photovoltaic devices and Schottky barrier diodes. An intelligent choice of linkers, careful selection of metal ions and post synthetic modification (PSM) can provide a better pathway for charge transportation. However, a proper understanding of the charge transport mechanism in CPs is still inadequate due to the lack of considerable experimental and theoretical work. In this paper, we address the theoretical elucidation of semiconducting properties and a probable pathway for charge transportation in three of our previously published CPs using density functional theory (DFT). These results help us to recognize the orbitals that have major contributions in the formation of the valence band and also provide the most likely pathway for optimum electronic communication. In this regard, the role of hydrogen bonding and unpaired electrons of metal d-orbitals is also established.