A series of nitrogen-rich nitronyl nitroxide radical PPNIT (1)-based (PPNIT = 2-(1-(pyrazin-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole)-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) 3d–4f ring-shaped tetranuclear clusters [Ln₂Cu₂(hfac)₁₀(PPNIT)₂(H₂O)₂]·CHCl₃ (Ln^III = Gd 2, Tb 3, Dy 4; hfac = hexafiuoroacetylacetonate) with multifunctional properties were isolated. The magnetic behavior, luminescence and heat capacity of the 3d–4f complexes were investigated, displaying interesting multiple properties of the molecular materials. The Gd derivative shows a magnetocaloric effect with the maximum entropy change (−ΔS_m) of 15.3 J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹ at 2 K for ΔH = 70 kOe. The Tb cluster exhibits spin glass behavior and the characteristic fluorescence emission of the Tb^III ion, while the Dy cluster exhibits SMM behaviour, and the heat capacity has been investigated. Notably, in nitronyl nitroxide radical–metal systems, the investigation of diverse properties is still scarce so far. This work can pave the way towards the synthesis of multifunctional materials that combine SMM behavior, and optical or/and thermodynamic properties.

This feature article summarizes the most up-to-date advances of lanthanide–radical compounds with single-molecule magnet behavior, including the design, synthesis and magnetic properties.

Taking advantage of a nitronyl nitroxide radical ligand 8-QNNIT (1) (8-quinolyl-4,4,5,5-tetramethyl-imidazoline-1-oxyl-3-oxide) and Ln(hfac)₃·2H₂O (Ln^III = Tb 2 and Dy 3; hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate), two Ln–radical one-dimensional chains [Ln(hfac)₃(8-QNNIT)]_n were constructed. The magnetic properties, thermodynamics and optical behavior of both compounds were observed, exhibiting polyfunctionality of the 2p–4f system. Complexes 2 and 3 show typical single-chain magnet (SCM) properties with temperature-dependent relaxation peaks giving an effective energy barrier (U_eff/k_B) of 47.4 K (2) and 64.6 K (3). Luminescence spectra and ultravioletvisible (UV-vis) absorption spectra of the Tb compound, and UV-vis absorption spectra and thermodynamics properties of the Dy complex were investigated. As far as we know, the Dy complex is the first SCM with thermodynamics behavior and optical properties comparable to those of multifunctional magnetic materials. This study aims to provide a new way and field of vision for the construction of 2p–4f heterospin multi-functional materials.

A superhydrophobic and corrosion-resistant coating with hierarchical macro/nanostructures was constructed by one-step electrodeposition of dodecyltrimethoxysilane (e-DTMS) on Mg alloy AZ31 in a relatively media. The surface morphology and chemical composition were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Surface wettability was evaluated by measuring water contact angles and sliding angles of water droplets. The protective performance was measured by electrochemical and hydrogen evolution tests. The results indicated that the e-DTMS coating had excellent self-cleaning performance with a contact angle of 158° ± 2.3° and a sliding angle of 4° ± 0.5°. The superhydrophobic surface greatly reduced the contact area between the AZ31 substrate and water, and it was chemically stable in corrosive media. The corrosion current density (2.11 × 10⁻⁷ A cm⁻²) of the e-DTMS coating was about three hundred times less than that of the AZ31 substrate (7.34 × 10⁻⁵ A cm⁻²). The results demonstrated that the e-DTMS coating remarkably enhanced the anti-corrosion performance of AZ31 alloys.

Nitronyl nitroxide in Ln(iii) multi-spin clusters has been utilized for realizing the regulation of NIR-II photothermal conversion and magnetic dynamics.