Extended π-conjugation of D–A ligand enabling a CuI-based hybrid compound as sensitive fluorescent sensor and efficient photodegradation catalyst for tetracycline

The judicious selection and rational design of the chromogenic ligands are deemed as a critical aspect to enhance the photoluminescent and/or photocatalytic performance of organic–inorganic hybrid materials. Here, a D–A type Schiff-base ligand, N-(anthracen-9-ylmethylene)pyrazine-2-amine (AIPZ) was deliberated-designed and prepared which drives the generation of a one-dimensional CuI hybrid compound, 1D-CuI(AIPZ). Though both 2D-CuI(APZ), a two-dimensional CuI-based hybrid from 2-aminopyrazine (APZ), and 1D-CuI(AIPZ) are equipped with one-dimensional CuI modules, the photoluminescence studies and optoelectronic property measurements disclosed that the latter features the optimized energy band structure, intensified photoluminescent behavior, and higher carrier separation and transfer ability. Remarkably, 1D-CuI(AIPZ) is competent as a bifunctional material for selective fluorescent detection of tetracycline (TC) with 0.261 µM detection limit in the dark, and photocatalytically eliminating 94.14 % of this pollutant within 60 min under visible light irradiation. The insight into the contribution of the extended D–A structure of AIPZ on the superior photoluminescence efficiency and photocatalytic activity of 1D-CuI(AIPZ) than 2D-CuI(APZ) was established by the combined experimental and theoretical approaches. Moreover, the promising applicability of 1D-CuI(AIPZ) for the detection and photocatalytic treatment of TC-containing wastewater was validated by two experimental facts: the satisfactory recovery rate for monitoring TC in real water matrices, the preservation of more than 70 % of degradation rate for TC irradiated by the natural light. This work offers a feasible ligand-engineering approach to integrate and optimize the fluorescent detection and photocatalytic removal abilities of the organic–inorganic hybrid materials for common environmental pollutants.