A dual-functional 2D coordination polymer exhibiting photomechanical and electrically conductive behaviours.

A photoactive two-dimensional coordination polymer (2D CP) [Zn 2 (4-spy) 2 (bdc) 2 ] n (1) [4-spy = 4-styrylpyridine and H 2 bdc = 1,4-benzendicarboxylic acid] undergoes a photochemical [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction upon UV irradiation. Interestingly, the crystals of 1 show different photomechanical effects, such as jumping, swelling, and splitting, during UV irradiation. In addition, the CP was employed for conductivity measurements before and after UV irradiation via current density-voltage characteristics and impedance spectroscopy, which suggest that they are semiconducting in nature and can be used as Schottky diodes. Thus, this work demonstrates the potential dual applications of a 2D CP based on photosalient and conductivity properties.