Stable Nickel-Based Metal–Organic Framework Containing Thiophene/Diimidazole Units for Effective Near-Infrared Photothermal Conversion

Herein, a new Ni-based metal–organic framework (MOF, 1) bearing highly structural stability is synthesized by the reaction of utilizing a rigid and functionalized linker, 2,6-bis(pyridin-4-yl)-1,7-dihydrobenzo[1,2-d:4,5-d′]diimidazole (BBI4PY), in combination with Ni(NO3)2·6H2O and dibenzo[b,d]thiophene-3,7-dicarboxylic acid 5,5-dioxide (L1) under solvothermal conditions. The crystal structure of complex 1 is determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and is demonstrated to be a two-dimensional layered structure. In addition, PXRD, IR, TGA and UV/Vis-NIR spectra are also tested carefully to explore the solid structure of this complex. Remarkably, although no significant accumulation effect could be observed between the two-dimensional layers, a stacking interaction between DMF solvent molecules and ligand L1 could be found, which might promote non-radiative transitions and trigger obvious near-infrared photothermal conversion. Under 660 nm laser (0.6 W cm−2) illumination, the temperature of complex 1 increased rapidly from room temperature to 45.2 °C, with good thermal stability and cycle durability. Its photothermal conversion efficiency could reach 10.75%. This work provides an efficient way for assessing the promise of materials in the field of photothermal therapy