Co-Fe Prussian Blue analogue intercalated into diamagnetic Mg-Al layered double hydroxides

A heterostructure of diamagnetic magnesium-aluminium layered double hydroxides (Mg-Al LDHs) and photomagnetic cobalt-iron Prussian Blue analogue (Co-Fe PBA) was designed, synthesized and then designated as LDH-PB. The cyanide-bridged Co-Fe PBA was two-dimensionally intercalated into the Mg-Al LDH template by the stepwise anion exchange method. LDH-PB showed ferrimagnetic properties with in-plane antiferromagnetic exchange interactions, as well as small photo-induced magnetization by visible light illumination due to the low dimensional structures and the characteristic photo-induced electronic states of the mixed valence of Fe^III(low spin, S = 1/2)-CN-Co^II(high spin, S = 3/2)-NC-Fe^II (low spin, S = 0).