New Zn(II) Complexes of Substituted bis(Salicylidene)phenyl-1,2-diamino Based Organic Ligands: Synthesis, Photoluminescence, Applications in Forensic Fingerprint and Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Abstract

New azomethine-Zn(II) complexes of bis(salicylidene)phenyl-1,2-diamino organic ligand derivatives were synthesized by the reaction of salicylaldehyde, substituted phenyl-1,2-diamine with zinc acetate. The synthesized complexes were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR and EDS. Their photophysical and electrochemical properties were studied and their applicability for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and forensic finger print developments have been demonstrated. Photoluminescence studies revealed that the emission peaks of the complexes in solution state appeared at 372-406 nm and emitted blue light. Latent fingerprint detection study indicated that the powder compounds show good adhesion and finger ridge details without back ground staining. Based on these results, it was ascertained that these Zn(II) complexes can serve as a suitable non-dopant blue light emitting compound for flat panel display applications and applied to detect fingerprints on all types of smooth surfaces.