Es werden neue Erkenntnisse über Borphosphat und Borophosphate der Haupt- und Nebengruppenmetalle vorgestellt. Neben Hydrothermalsynthesen und Feststoffreationen, die üblicherweise zur Synthese von Borophosphaten angewendet werden, haben insbesondere die solvothermalen Experimente mit Alkoholen bzw. Alkohol-Wasser-Mischungen zu neuen Ergebnissen geführt. Es wurden neue Borophosphate und Borat-Phosphate in den Systemen MxOy–B2O3–P2O5(–H2O) (M = K+, Rb+, Mg2+, Sc3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, In3+) dargestellt, weitere Verbindungen enthalten neben Mg2+ weitere Kationen der Haupt- und Nebengruppenmetalle (Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn). Darüberhinaus gelang die Darstellung bislang unbekannter Scandium- und Lanthanphosphate(III) sowie von sauren Alkalimetall-Scandiumphosphaten(V). Aus Synthesen in Gegenwart von Ethylendiamin und Diazabizyklooktan wurden ferner zwei neue templatierte Scandiumphosphate mit porösen Gerüststrukturen erhalten. Die Kristallstrukturen aller Verbindungem wurden rötgenographisch anhand von Einkristallaufnahmen oder Pulverdaten aufgeklärt. Die Charakterisierung der Präparate erfolgte mit Röntgenpulverdiffraktometrie, EDX- und Elementaranalysen sowie durch Schwingungsspektroskopie und thermische Stabilitätsuntersuchungen. Zur Klassifizierung von (Metallo)borophosphaten wird eine Struktursystematik vorgeschlagen, welche Borophosphate und Metalloborophosphate entsprechend ihrer anionischen Teilstrukturen hierarchisch klassifiziert und in Analogie zur Terminologie der Silikate (nach Liebau) beschreibt. In Anlehnung an bestehende Konzepte für Boratminerale geht das Klassifizierungsschema dabei von einfachen Oligomeren aus. In einer struktursystematischen Übersicht wurden alle bis dato bekannten (Metallo)Borophosphate hierarchisch klassifiziert und sind in einer Übersicht vorgestellt. Beobachtete Verknüpfungsregeln und der Einfluss der Zusammensetzung B:P auf die Dimensionalität und die Verknüpfungsmuster der anionischen Teilstruktur werden diskutiert.

The understanding of self-assembly processes is important for fabrication of well-defined structures with new functionalities for applications in the area of biomedical sciences, material sciences and electronics. In this thesis, two types of self-assembly processes are described: (1) self-assembly of fullerene derivatives in water and (2) self-assembly on surfaces using layer-by-layer (LbL) approach. The various interactions and parameters involved in the self-assembly are detailed in the introductory chapter 1. The various internal parameters like molecular geometry, intramolecular and intermolecular forces that guides the self-assembly process of amphiphiles in water are discussed. The experimental procedures used in the present thesis for the fabrication of nanostructures via self-assembly approach are also described. In the later part of the chapter, the LbL technique for fabrication of thin films and microcapsules is reviewed where various interactions involved in the growth of LbL assembly are discussed. The effect of ionic strength and pH on the growth and property of LbL assemblies is elaborated. A brief discussion of the materials used in the thesis ‒ fullerene, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) is also provided The self-assembly behaviour of amphiphilic fullerene derivatives are described in chapter 2. Fullerene is anisotropically substituted with five polar hydroxyl groups using organo-copper reagent. The derivative can interact in water via the van der Waals and hydrophobic interactions of the fullerene moiety as well as the intermolecular hydrogen bonding among the hydroxyl groups and also with water. The penta-hydroxy fullerene derivative self-assembles in water as vesicular structures. The size of these vesicles can be varied by modifying the kinetics of self-assembly which was done by changing the rate of addition of non-solvent (water) to the solution of the fullerene derivative. In the second derivative, the hydroxyl groups are substituted with less polar methoxy groups. The penta-methoxy fullerene derivative cannot participate in inter-molecular hydrogen bonding formation unlike the penta-hydroxy derivative but there is possibility of hydrogen bond formation with water where oxygens on methoxy group can act as hydrogen bond acceptor. The penta-methoxy fullerene does not show any vesicle formation in water. The computational simulation studies were carried out on the two fullerene derivatives to understand the self-assembly behaviour of these two derivatives. Furthermore, the vesicle structures formed by the penta-hydroxy fullerene derivative are used for entrapment of hydrophobic polymer, poly[2-methoxy-5-(2-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene] (MEH-PPV) and also hydrophilic dye, Rhodamine B. In both the cases, fluorescence quenching is observed due to electron transfer reaction with fullerene and hence these fullerene vesicles can be used to study the effect of confinement on electron transfer reactions and other chemical dynamics. The layer-by-layer self-assembly approach for the fabrication of biopolymeric thin films and microcapsules is discussed in the chapters 3 to 6. The biocompatible nanoparticles and nanofibers were used as the components of the assembly. In chapter 3, we have described fabrication of thin film of bovine serum albumin (BSA) nanoparticles via LbL approach using biopolymer chitosan as the complementary polymer. The driving force for the assembly growth of the assembly was the electrostatic and complementary hydrogen bond formation between the two components. The idea of incorporating nanoparticles in the thin film was that the nanoparticles can act as reservoirs for functional materials. The films were loaded with anticancer drug doxorubicin and show pH dependent release of the drug. The various interactions involved in the LbL assembly of BSA nanoparticles and polymers were investigated towards understanding the growth mechanism of the assembly in chapter 4. The understanding of the interactions involved in the assembly formation is important in order to modify the conditions of the assembly for enhancing the growth. It is inferred from the study reported in this chapter that not only the interaction of nanoparticles with polymers but also the inter-particle interactions are important factors in determining the growth of LbL assembly of nanoparticles/polymers. The growth of the assembly is enhanced on minimizing the inter-particle repulsions, which was achieved in case of BSA nanoparticles by modifying the pH of the assembly. We also utilized the LbL self-assembly approach for the delivery of lipophilic drugs. The lipophilic drugs are difficult to administer in the body due to their poor water solubility and hence show poor pharmacokinetic profile. The methods for incorporating hydrophobic drugs in LbL assembled thin films and microcapsules are described in chapters 5 and 6. In chapter 5, hydrophobic molecules binding property of albumin has been exploited for solubilisation of a water-insoluble molecule, pyrene (model drug) and hydrophobic drug, curcumin, by preparation of non-covalent conjugates with BSA. The interaction with BSA provided negative zeta potential to the previously uncharged molecules and hence they can be incorporated in the LbL assembled thin films and microcapsules using electrostatic as well as hydrogen bonding interaction with biopolymer, chitosan. The fabrication of protein encapsulated stable microcapsules with hydrophobic molecules incorporated in the shell of the microcapsules has also been demonstrated. The microcapsules were further capable of loading hydrophilic molecules like Rhodamine B. Thus, this approach can be employed for fabrication of multi-agent carrier for hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs as well as therapeutic macromolecules. In chapter 6, we have incorporated nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) LbL assembled thin films and microcapsules. The assembly formed was porous in nature due to the nano-fibrous morphology of NCC. The nanoassemblies can act as potential drug delivery carrier, which has been demonstrated by loading anticancer drug doxorubicin, and a lipophilic drug, curcumin. Doxorubicin hydrochloride, the salt form of the drug, doxorubicin, has good water solubility and hence can be postloaded in the assembly by diffusion from its aqueous solution. In the case of curcumin, which has limited solubility in water, a stable aqueous dispersion of the drug was prepared via noncovalent interaction with NCC prior to incorporation in the LbL assembly. The interaction of various other lipophilic drugs with NCC was analysed computationally.

Transition metal oxides and chalcogenides are an ideal platform for demonstrating and investigating many interesting electronic phases of matter. These phases emerge as a result of collective many body interactions among the electrons. The omnipresent electron, depending on its interaction with other electrons and with the underlying lattice, can generate diverse phases of matter with exotic physical properties. The ultimate objective of Materials Science is to provide a complete microscopic understanding of these myriad electronic phases of matter. A proper understanding of the collective quant-tum behaviour of electrons in different system can also help in designing and tuning new electronic phases of matter that may have strong impact in the field of microelectronics, well beyond that predicted by Moore s law. Strong electron correlation effects produce a wide spectrum of ground state prop-retires like superconductivity, Metal Insulator Transition (MIT), charge-orbital ordering and many more. Similarly, different spin interactions among electrons, essentially due to various kinds of exchange coupling, give rise to varying magnetic ground state prop-retires like ferromagnetism, anti-ferromagnetism, spin glass, among others. The main objective of this thesis is to understand and rationalize diverse electronic and magnetic phases of matter in some selected strongly correlated systems. In chapter 1 we have provided an overview of various electronic and magnetic phases of matter which are relevant and necessary for understanding the chapters that follow. The first part of this chapter describes the fundamental concepts of the so called Metal Insulator Transition (MIT). A small section is dedicated to the subtle interactions among electrons and lattice that actually drive a system from a highly conducting metallic state to a strongly resistive insulating state. The second part of this chapter offers a compilation of different magnetic ground states which are discussed in detail in the last two chapters. In Chapter 2, we have explained various methodologies and experimental tech-antiques that have been used in the work reported in this thesis. In Chapter 3, we have provided a detailed understanding of the MIT in different polymorphic forms of Vanadium dioxide (VO2). Although VO2 exhibits a number of polymorphic forms, only the rutile/monoclinic VO2 phase has been studied extensively compared to other polymorphic forms. This phase shows a well-established MIT across ∼340 K, which has been extensively investigated in order to understand the relative importance of many body electron correlation effects arising primarily from on-site Coulomb interactions within the Vanadium 3d manifold, and single electron effects flounced by the dimerization of Vanadium atoms. Unlike the rutile phase of VO2, little is known about the MIT appearing across 212 K in the metastable B-phase of VO2. This phase shows dimerization of only half of the Vanadium atoms in the insulating state, in contrast to rutile/monoclinic VO2, which show complete dimerization. There is a long standing debate about the origin of the MIT in the rutile/monoclinic phase, that contrasts the role of the many-body Hubbard U term, with single particle effects of the dimerization. In light of this debate, the MIT in the B-phase offers a unique opportunity to understand and address the competition between many body and single particle effects, that has been unresolved over several decades. In this chapter we have investigated different polymorphs of VO2 to understand the underlying electronic structure and the nature of the MIT in these polymorphic forms. The MIT in VO2 B phase is very broad in nature. X-ray photoemission and optical conductivity data indicate that in case of VO2 B phase both correlation effects and dimerization is necessary to drive the MIT. We have also established that the correlation effects are more prominent for VO2 B phase compared to rutile/monoclinic phase. In Chapter 4, we have discussed the electronic structure of LaTiO3 (LTO)-SrTiO3 (STO) system. At the interface between polar LTO and non-polar (STO) oxides, an unique two dimensional electron gas (2DEG) like state appears, that exhibits a phenomenal range of unexpected transport, magnetic, and electronic properties. Thus, this interface stands as a prospective candidate for not only fundamental scientific investigation, but also application in technological and ultimately commercial frontiers. In this chapter, using variable energy Hard X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (HAXPES), we have experimentally investigated the layer resolved evolution of electronic structure across the interface in LTO-STO system. HAXPES results suggest that the interface is more coherent in nature and the coherent to incoherent feature ratio changes significantly as we probe deeper into the layer In chapter 5, we have investigated the electronic structure of the chemically exfoliated trigonal phase of MoS2. This elusive trigonal phase exists only as small patches on chemically exfoliated MoS2, and is believed to control functioning of MoS2 based devices. Its electronic structure is little understood, with total absence of any spec-troscopic data, and contradictory claims from theoretical investigations. We have ad-dressed this issue experimentally by studying the electronic structure of few layered chemically exfoliated MoS2 systems using spatially resolved X-ray photoemission spec-otoscopy and micro Raman spectroscopy in conjunction with electronic structure calculations. We have established that the ground state of this unique trigonal phase is actually a small gap (∼90 meV) semiconductor. This is in contrast with most of the claims in existing literature. In chapter 6, we have re-examined and revaluated the electronic structure of the late 3d transition metal monoxides (NiO, FeO, and CoO) using a combination of HAX-PES and state-of-the-art theoretical calculations. We have observed a strong evolution in the valence band spectra as a function of excitation energy. Theoretical results show that a combined GW+LDA+DMFT scheme is essential for explaining the observed experimental findings. Additionally, variable temperature HAXPES measurement In chapter 8, we have differentiated the surface and the bulk electronic structure in Sr2FeMoO6 and also have provided a new route to increase the Curie temperature of this material. Sr2FeMoO6 is well known for its high Curie temperature (Tc ∼410 K), half-metallic ferromagnetism, and a spectacularly large tunnelling magnetoresistance. The surface electronic structure of Sr2FeMoO6 is believed to be different from the bulk; leading to a Spin-Valve type Magnetoresistance. We have carried out variable energy HAXPES on Sr2FeMoO6 to probe electronic structure as a function of surface depth. Our experimental results indicate that surface is more Mo6+ rich. We have also demonstrated what we believe is the first direct experimental evidence of hard ferro-magnetism in the surface layer using X Ray Magnetic Circular Dichroism (XMCD) with dual detection mode. In the second part of this chapter we have designed a new route to increase the Curie temperature and have been successfully able to achieve a Curie temperature as high as 515 K.

Perovskite oxides show wide range of applications in the area of magnetism, ferroelectricity, piezoelectricity, thermoelectricity, gas sensing, catalyst development, solid oxide fuel cell, etc. This is due to flexibility in the structure and compositions that can be tuned by specific element doping. In the perovskite oxide (ABO3), large cation (A) is 12 -coordinated and smaller B-cation is 6 coordinated with oxide ions. Oxide materials are considered as better candidates for thermoelectric applications (interconversion of thermal into electrical energy) due to its non-toxicity and thermal stability at elevated temperature. These are insulating in nature and the conductivity can be increased by doping A and / or B –sites. Perovskite oxides are also used for oxygen monitoring in different applications including control and optimization of combustion of fossil fuels in industries and automobiles, biological and defines places, etc. In the present study, we focused on thermoelectric properties in single perovskite oxides of lanthanum cobaltite and calcium manganite and a double perovskite oxide of dysprosium barium cobaltite. Also, the oxygen sensing behaviour of dysprosium barium cobaltite at elevated temperatures is studied. The thesis contains seven chapters and a summary of respective chapters are given below. The first chapter outlines the basics of thermoelectric and gas sensing applications of both perovskite and double perovskite oxides. In the initial part, thermoelectric phenomena are explained. Thermoelectric effect is the conversion of thermal energy to electrical energy and vice-versa. Higher thermoelectric efficiency (η) can be achieved by maintaining a large temperature difference across the material. The efficiency depends on the thermoelectric figure of merit (zT) of material, which depends on thermopower (S), electrical resistivity (ρ) and thermal conductivity (κ) of the material and hence needs to be optimized. The latter part discusses the oxygen sensing property of distorted double perovskite 112 structure type as it shows advantages over other materials due to oxygen nonstoichiometric. Further, an overview of the relevant literature, objective and scope of the thesis are mentioned. The second chapter elucidates the materials and methods used for the present work. The materials viz. LaCoO3, CaMnO3-δ and DyBaCo2O5+δ, were selected for thermoelectric and oxygen sensing studies. Both the conventional solid state and soft chemistry methods were adopted for the synthesis of these materials. Powders were densified into pellets by hot uniaxial pressing / cold isostatic pressing and various heat treatments were carried out. Samples thus prepared were phase pure as confirmed using powder x-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement performed for structural analysis. Morphological studies were carried out using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Further Raman and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopic characterization of these materials were discussed. The transport properties viz. electrical resistivity, thermopower and thermal conductivity of compact pellets were measured at elevated temperatures. Further, the home-built apparatus for room temperature See beck measurements and chemo resistive oxygen sensing were explained in detail as a part of this work. The third chapter describes the effect of monovalent ion doping (Na+ and K+) at A-site of lanthanum cobaltite on thermoelectric properties. Lanthanum cobaltite system exhibit exotic behaviour due to commensuration phenomena of spin, lattice, charge and metal insulator transition. The synthesis, followed by structural refinements by Rietveld method using Fullprof suit program are explained. The results of the transport properties indicate that there is no appreciable change in the See beck Coefficient of K-doped samples throughout the studied temperature range. The Na-doped samples exhibit a decrease in the Seebeck value with increasing Na content at room temperature. At higher temperatures Seebeck value matches with that of the parent sample. This may be due to a change in the ratio of the concentration of Co4+/Co3+ ions which increases the configurational entropy of the system. In conclusion, the highest figure of merit (0.01) found for the Na / K- doped lanthanum cobaltite is for 15 atomic wt. % of doping amongst the studied samples. The fourth chapter explains about Tb/Nb co-doped calcium manganite for thermoelectric applications. The CaMnO3-δ shows enhanced thermoelectric properties, exhibits n-type behavior and the absolute thermopower is found to be 129 µV/K. Here, we investigated the Terbium and Niobium codoped at Ca and Mn-sites respectively. The presence of oxygen non-stoichiometry was confirmed using Raman spectroscopy (Mn3+ peak at 614 cm-1) and δ value was evaluated by iodometric titration. The thermoelectric properties of cold isostatic pressed (CIP) pellets prepared by the solid state and soft chemistry routes are compared. The non-monotonous behavior of absolute thermopower may be due to the increase of Mn3+ in the Mn4+ matrix and also the presence of oxygen defects in compounds. The thermoelectric figure of merit of solid state sample CaMnO3-δ estimated of 0.036 at 825K. The fifth chapter describes the thermoelectric properties of double Perovskite AA’B2O6 (112 type): (RE)BaCo2O5+δ. It is a disordered double perovskite with non-stoichiometry in oxygen and exhibits mixed valences of Cobalt. Resistivity of DyBaCo2O5+δ was found to be 0.09 Ω cm and Seebeck coefficient is found to be 42 µV/K. In order to improve the thermopower value, the Fe is substituted at Co-site. This varies the valences of Cobalt that in turn leads to a higher thermopower. Also, the morphology of thermally etched CIP pellets recorded and correlated with the transport properties. It shows the highest thermoelectric figure of merit of 0.25 at 773 K for 20 at wt % of Fe substituted sample. The sixth chapter explains about oxygen sensing studies of DyBaCo2O5+δ (112 type). The detailed structural and morphological characterization studies were carried out. Thermogravimetric analysis at isothermal temperature 873 K shows fast intake/release of oxygen of this disordered double perovskite structure. The higher chemo resistive oxygen sensitivity at the elevated temperature was measured. Further, the systematic study on the effect of oxygen sensing on the substitution of Fe and Cu at Co-site in DyBaCo2-xM xO5+δ was investigated. The possible bulk diffusion mechanism at higher temperature due to movement of oxygen defects were explained. The highest sensitivity was obtained for x = 0.4 at % of Fe and 0.2 at % of Cu at 973 K and 823 K respectively. The key findings and future aspects are summarized in the chapter-7.

The present thesis provides a systematic investigation of coordination polymers of 3d, rare-earth (4f) and main group element (Bi) using both rigid aromatic, flexible aliphatic linkers. Luminescent sensing behavior towards nitro aromatics, metal ions and ferroelectric behavior have been investigated using some of the prepared compounds. The possible usefulness of lone pair on the structure has been investigated using bismuth based coordination polymers. The thermal and optical behavior of lanthanide coordination polymers (Ce, Pr and Nd) have also been studied. Chapter 1 An Overview of Coordination Polymer (CP) Compounds This chapter presents a brief introduction to coordination polymer (CP) compounds. Starting from the brief historical background on coordination compounds, this chapter shed light on some earlier developments in this family of compounds by Yaghi, Robson and others. The usefulness of carboxylate and imidazolates in construction of some important coordination polymer compounds like MOF-5, HKUST-1, ZIFs, MIL-53, UiO-66, CD-MOF-1 etc has been described in detail along with its properties. The coordination polymers exhibit many important properties and some of the properties like sorption, separation, ionic conductivity, catalysis and ferroelectricity have been discussed briefly and summerized. Chapter 1 also provides the general synthetic and characterization approaches that have been employed during the present studies. Chapter 2 Part A: Adenine Based Coordination Polymers with Cyclohexane dicarboxylic acids This chapter presents the synthesis, structure and properties of four new coordination polymers [Zn4(C8H10O4)2.5(C5H4N5)3.2H2O].7H2O.2DMA (I), [Cd3(C8H10O4)2(C5H4N5)2.H2O] (II), [Cd(C8H11O4)2(C5H5N5)2.2H2O] (III), [Cd(C8H10O4)(C7H8N5O).H2O]. 4H2O (IV), (CHDA = cyclohexane dicarboxylic acid, ad = adenine, DMA = dimethylacetamide, 9-HEA = 9-hydroxyethyl adenine). The compound I and II forms three-dimensional structure having distinct arrangements of 1,4-CHDA and adenine units with Zn and Cd metals respectively. The molecular complex unit is observed in compound III with 1,2-CHDA and adenine. Compound IV forms two-dimensional structure with 9-HEA and 1,2-CHDA. The observation of base-pairing interactions in the above compounds is noteworthy. In compounds I, II and IV amino groups are appears to be free and utilized for the detection of nitro aromatic explosives through fluorescence quenching. The results revealed that the emission behavior of the present compounds is greatly influenced by the hydroxyl nitroaromatic analyses like indophenol, dinitrophenyl and trinitrophenols with very low detection limits. The compound I also exhibits considerable sensitivity towards metal ion detection, especially Fe2+/Fe3+, Cr3+, Ag+ and Hg2+ ions in solution. The presence of free nitrogen sites in compound II has been explored for the base catalyzed Knoevenagel condensation reaction, the quantitative yields are observed with various aldehyde substrates. Part B: Adenine Based Coordination Polymer with Oxydiacetic acid: [Cd2(C4H4O5)2(C5H5N5)].H2O.DMA The synthesis, structure and properties of a Cd based coordination polymer with oxydiacetic acid and adenine, [Cd2(C4H4O5)2(C5H5N5)].H2O. DMA is described. The compound has a two-dimensional structure formed by the connectivity involving Cd and oxydiacetic acid. The adenine ligand binds with the Cd metal center through the pyrimidine nitrogen and hangs in the inter layer spaces. The layers are stacked in a ABAB.... fashion and the inter layer spaces occupied by the dimethyl amine and water molecules. The water molecules are very labile and its removal can be accomplished by heating the sample at 100°C, which is also confirmed by the single crystal XRD, PXRD and IR studies. The availability of free amino groups of adenine molecule has been utilized for the detection of nitroaromatics, especially nitrophenols with good sensitivity. The amino group was also found to be useful in catalyzing Knoevenagel condensation reactions. Chapter 3: Rare-Earth Metal Carboxylates: Ln2(µ3-OH)(C4H4O5)2(C4H2O4)].2H2O [Ln=Ce, Pr and Nd] This chapter describes synthesis, structure and properties of series of rare-earth based compounds, [Ln2(µ3-OH)(C4H4O5)2(C4H2O4)].2H2O (Ln = Ce, Pr and Nd). The malic acid and fumaric acid form part of the structure. The lanthanide centers are connected by the malate units to form a two dimensional layers, which are pillared by fumarate units forming the three-dimensional structure. Overall, structure can be described as I2O1 type inorganic in two-dimension (Ln-O-Ln layers) and organic in one dimension. The extra framework water molecules form a dimer and occupy the channels. The robustness of the framework was reflected in terms of facile removal and reinsertion of the water molecules, which is also confirmed by single crystal XRD, variable temperature IR and cyclic TGA study. The presence of water dimers and weakly interacting water chain suggested the possibility of proton migration in these compounds. Proton conductivity studies reveal the conductivity values of ~2.85 x 10-6 Ω-1cm-1 at 98% relative humidity. The optical studies revealed an up-conversion behavior involving more than one photon for the neodymium compound. Chapter 4: Bismuth Carboxylates with Brucite and Fluorite Related Structures The synthesis, structure and properties of three new bismuth based coordination polymers have been described in this chapter. The compounds [C4N2H10][Bi(C7H4NO4)(C7H3NO4)].H2O (I), [Bi(C5H3N2O4) (C5H2N2O4)] (II) and [Bi(µ2-OH)(C7H3NO4)] (III) were isolated employing hydrothermal condition with three different heterocyclicdicarboxylic acids, 3,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid and 3,4-pyridinedicarboxylic acid respectively. The structures of all the compounds have linkages between Bi2O2 and the corresponding dicarboxylate forming a simple molecular unit in I, a bilayer arrangement in II and a three-dimensional extended structure in III. The topological arrangement of the nodal building units in the structures resembles brucite related layers in II and fluorite related arrangement in compound III. By utilizing the secondary interactions, the structure of III can be correlated to a Kagome related net. The observation of such classical inorganic related structures in the bismuth carboxylates is noteworthy. Heterogeneous catalytic studies indicate Lewis acidic nature in the bismuth center in all three compounds. Chapter 5: Solvent dependent Delamination, Restacking and Ferroelectric studies in a Two-Dimensional Compound [NH4][Ag3(C9H5NO4S)2(C13H14N2)2].8H2O This chapter describes synthesis, structure, water dependent delamination/restacking and ferroelectric behavior in a layered coordination polymer compound, [NH4][Ag3(C9H5NO4S)2(C13H14N2)2].8H2O. The compound has a two-dimensional structure with the water molecules occupying the inter-lamellar spaces. The lattice water molecules can be fully removed and reinserted, which accompany the crystalline-amorphous-crystalline transformation. This transformation resembles the collapse/delamination and re-stacking of the layers. This transformation has also been investigated by in-situ IR and PXRD studies. The presence of a natural dipole (anionic framework and cationic ammonium ions) along with the non-centrosymmetric space group gives rise to a room-temperature ferroelectric behavior to the compound with saturation polarization (Ps) of 1.95 μC/cm2 and remnant polarization of 0.63 μC/cm2. The temperature dependent dielectric measurements indicate that the ferroelectric-paraelectric transformation occurs at 320 K. The ferroelectric-paraelectric transformation also follows the crystalline-amorphous-crystalline transitions.

Es werden neue Erkenntnisse über Borphosphat und Borophosphate der Haupt- und Nebengruppenmetalle vorgestellt. Neben Hydrothermalsynthesen und Feststoffreationen, die üblicherweise zur Synthese von Borophosphaten angewendet werden, haben insbesondere die solvothermalen Experimente mit Alkoholen bzw. Alkohol-Wasser-Mischungen zu neuen Ergebnissen geführt. Es wurden neue Borophosphate und Borat-Phosphate in den Systemen MxOy–B2O3–P2O5(–H2O) (M = K+, Rb+, Mg2+, Sc3+, Pr3+, Sm3+, In3+) dargestellt, weitere Verbindungen enthalten neben Mg2+ weitere Kationen der Haupt- und Nebengruppenmetalle (Ca, Sr, Ba, Mn, Fe, Co, Zn). Darüberhinaus gelang die Darstellung bislang unbekannter Scandium- und Lanthanphosphate(III) sowie von sauren Alkalimetall-Scandiumphosphaten(V). Aus Synthesen in Gegenwart von Ethylendiamin und Diazabizyklooktan wurden ferner zwei neue templatierte Scandiumphosphate mit porösen Gerüststrukturen erhalten. Die Kristallstrukturen aller Verbindungem wurden rötgenographisch anhand von Einkristallaufnahmen oder Pulverdaten aufgeklärt. Die Charakterisierung der Präparate erfolgte mit Röntgenpulverdiffraktometrie, EDX- und Elementaranalysen sowie durch Schwingungsspektroskopie und thermische Stabilitätsuntersuchungen. Zur Klassifizierung von (Metallo)borophosphaten wird eine Struktursystematik vorgeschlagen, welche Borophosphate und Metalloborophosphate entsprechend ihrer anionischen Teilstrukturen hierarchisch klassifiziert und in Analogie zur Terminologie der Silikate (nach Liebau) beschreibt. In Anlehnung an bestehende Konzepte für Boratminerale geht das Klassifizierungsschema dabei von einfachen Oligomeren aus. In einer struktursystematischen Übersicht wurden alle bis dato bekannten (Metallo)Borophosphate hierarchisch klassifiziert und sind in einer Übersicht vorgestellt. Beobachtete Verknüpfungsregeln und der Einfluss der Zusammensetzung B:P auf die Dimensionalität und die Verknüpfungsmuster der anionischen Teilstruktur werden diskutiert.

The development of solution-processable semiconducting polymers has brought mankind’s long-sought dream of plastic electronics to fruition. Their potential in the manufacturing of lightweight, flexible yet robust, and biocompatible electronics has spurred their use in organic transistors, photovoltaics, electrochromic devices, batteries, and sensors for wearable electronics. Yet, despite the successful engineering of semiconducting polymers, we do not fully understand their molecular behavior and how it influences their doping (oxidation/reduction) properties. This is especially true for donor-acceptor (D-A) p-systems which have proven to be very efficient at tuning the electronic properties of organic semiconductors. Historically, chain-length dependent studies have been essential in uncovering the relationship between the molecular structure and polymer properties. Discussed here is the systematic investigation of a complete D-A molecular series composed of monodispersed and well-defined conjugated molecules ranging from oligomer (n=3-21) to polymer scale lengths. Structure-property relationships are established between the molecular structure, chain conformation, and redox-active opto-electronic properties for the molecular series in solution. This research reveals a rod-to-coil transition at the 15 unit chain length, or 4500 Da, in solution. The redox-active optical and electronic properties are investigated as a function of increasing chain-length, giving insight into the nature of charge carriers in a D-A conjugated system. This research aids in understanding the solution behavior of conjugated organic materials. <br>