A rational self-sacrificing template route to metal-organic framework nanotubes and reversible vapor-phase detection of nitroaromatic explosives

Binary-amplifying electrochemiluminescence sensor for sensitive assay of catechol and luteolin based on HKUST-1 derived CuO nanoneedles as a novel luminophore

Herein, a highly novel and effective electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor based on metal-organic framework (MOF, HKUST-1) derived CuO nanoneedles (HKUST-1 derived CuO NNs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and TiO2 was developed for ultrasensitive detection of catechol and luteolin. The HKUST-1 derived CuO NNs were employed as luminophore for the first time, which were successfully fabricated by using HKUST-1 as precursor. The results revealed that the HKUST-1 derived CuO NNs exhibit excellent ECL activity ascribed to its abundant active site and the high specific surface area, thus obviously promoting the separation and transfer of charge and further improving the current density of ECL sensor. To binary-amplify the signal of the ECL sensor, the AuNPs and TiO2 nano-materials with good biocompatibility, great electron transport efficiency and high catalytic activity were used as co-reaction accelerators in the ECL process. Dependent on the above brilliant strategy, the proposed ECL sensor achieved wide linear ranges from 3 × 10-9 - 1 × 10-4 M for catechol and 1 × 10-8 - 2 × 10-4 M for luteolin, with the detection limits of 1.5 × 10-9 M for catechol and 5.3 × 10-9 M for luteolin, respectively. Furthermore, the ECL sensor exhibited outstanding selectivity, repeatability, stability and obtained great feedback on determination of catechol and luteolin in actual samples. The method not only filled a gap in the ECL application of MOF-derived materials but also provided a novel sight for design other highly efficient luminescent materials.

Flexible luminescent non-lanthanide metal-organic frameworks as small molecules sensors

Toxic, carcinogenic, and hazardous materials are omnipresent, generally obtained by anthropogenic activities, industrial activities, aerobic and anaerobic degradation of waste materials and are harmful to human health and environment. Thus, sensing, colorimetric detection, and subsequent inclusion of these chemicals are of prime importance for human health and environment. In comparison to other classes of highly porous materials, luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) have chromophoric organic ligands, high surface area, high degree of tunability and structural diversity. They have received scientific interest as sensory materials for device fabrication to detect and sense toxic small molecules. Especially, as soft-porous materials exhibiting a degree of flexibility or dynamic behaviour, flexible LMOFs are promising for selective detection and sensing, and for encapsulation of toxic and health hazardous molecules. Such flexible LMOFs offer a potential platform for selective adsorption/separation, molecular recognition, and sensing application. In this perspective, we highlight the advantages of flexibility of LMOFs for selective detection and sensing, and inclusion of toxic small molecules (solvents, anions, halobenzenes, aromatics, aromatic amines, nitro-explosives and acetylacetone). In addition, the principles and strategies guiding the design of these MOF based materials and recent progress in the luminescent detection of toxic small molecules are also discussed. In this perspective we limit our discussion on the 'non-lanthanide' based luminescent MOFs that have flexibility in the framework and show small molecule sensing applications.

Facile Fabrication of an AIE-Active Metal-Organic Framework for Sensitive Detection of Explosives in Liquid and Solid Phases

Nowadays, the practical applications of metal-organic framework (MOF)-based fluorescence detectors are severely hindered because of the complex synthesis process of linkers or heavy metal contamination. The development of a simple, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly fluorescence sensing system remains a huge challenge. In this study, we designed and synthesized a TPE@γ-CD-MOF-K complex using the facile in situ encapsulation method. The unique pore structure of γ-CD-MOF allowed it to effectively include TPE and explosives as guests simultaneously. The TPE@γ-CD-MOF-K showed stronger fluorescence emission than TPE and sensitive fluorescence quenching activities in response to nitro-aromatic compounds in the liquid phase with detection limits as low as 3 ppm. Furthermore, TPE@γ-CD-MOF-K can also effectively detect nitro-aromatic compounds in the solid state, which is very convenient for practical detection of explosives. The unique pore structure of γ-CD-MOF-K and the interaction between K⁺ and nitro compounds play important roles in solid-state quenching.

Efficient Identification for Alcohol Homologues and Hyperthermy Based on Coordination Polymer Multiple Structural Transformations

Recently, coordination polymer materials are of high interest due to the potential applications for chemical sensing and luminescent materials. In this work, we designed a photofluorescence coordination polymer material based on a donor-metal-acceptor structure. The donor-metal-acceptor architecture showed unusual multiple environmental responsiveness accompanied by a great change of fluorescence behaviors. Generally, organic homologue molecules are not easily distinguished by coordination polymer sensors because they have similar molecular structures and interaction sites. However, using the feature of multiple structural transformations, the accurate identification for organic homologue molecules can be realized, especially in a short time to quickly identify MeOH in other alcohol homologues (even in mixed atmospheres with only 10% MeOH). The visualization transformation of fluorescence can also be realized by single crystal to single crystal thermal-induced coordination bond ON/OFF behavior. The reversible structure conversion strategy provides new ideas for the accurate identification of organic homolog molecules or external environmental stimuli.

Luminescent sensing of nitroaromatics by crystalline porous materials

Designing strategies for the syntheses of targeted luminescent MOFs, nanoparticle/MOF composites and COFs described and their application in sensing nitroaromatic compounds and explosives discussed.

Three 3D LnIII-MOFs based on a nitro-functionalized biphenyltricarboxylate ligand: syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties

Cluster, chain or layer-based 3D Ln-MOFs have been synthesized and they exhibit ferromagnetic or antiferromagnetic interactions. Furthermore, the Dy-MOF shows slow relaxation behavior.

Synthesis of micro/nanoscaled metal–organic frameworks and their direct electrochemical applications

Developing strategies to control the morphology and size of MOFs is important for their applications in batteries, supercapacitors and electrocatalysis. This review focuses on the design and fabrication of MOFs at the micro/nanoscale.

Unravelling Why and to What Extent the Topology of Similar Ce-Based MOFs Conditions their Photodynamic: Relevance to Photocatalysis and Photonics

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are emerging materials for luminescent and photochemical applications. Armed with femto to millisecond spectroscopies, and fluorescence microscopy, the photobehaviors of two Ce-based MOFs are unravelled: Ce-NU-1000 and Ce-CAU-24-TBAPy. It is observed that both MOFs show ligand-to-cluster charge transfer reactions in ≈100 and ≈70 fs for Ce-NU-1000 and Ce-CAU-24-TBAPy, respectively. The formed charge separated states, resulting in electron and hole generation, recombine in different times for each MOF, being longer in Ce-CAU-24-TBAPy: 1.59 and 13.43 µs than in Ce-NU-1000: 0.64 and 4.91 µs. The linkers in both MOFs also undergo a very fast intramolecular charge transfer reaction in ≈160 fs. Furthermore, the Ce-NU-1000 MOF reveals excimer formation in 50 ps, and lifetime of ≈14 ns. The lack of this interlinkers event in Ce-CAU-24-TBAPy arises from topological restriction and demonstrates the structural differences between the two frameworks. Single-crystal fluorescence microscopy of Ce-CAU-24-TBAPy shows the presence of a random distribution of defects along the whole crystal, and their impact on the observed photobehavior. These findings reflect the effect of linkers topology and metal clusters orientations on the outcome of electronic excitation of reticular structure, key to their applicability in different fields of science and technology, such as photocatalysis and photonics.

Structural Engineering of Low-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

Low-dimensional metal-organic frameworks (LD MOFs) have attracted increasing attention in recent years, which successfully combine the unique properties of MOFs, e.g., large surface area, tailorable structure, and uniform cavity, with the distinctive physical and chemical properties of LD nanomaterials, e.g., high aspect ratio, abundant accessible active sites, and flexibility. Significant progress has been made in the morphological and structural regulation of LD MOFs in recent years. It is still of great significance to further explore the synthetic principles and dimensional-dependent properties of LD MOFs. In this review, recent progress in the synthesis of LD MOF-based materials and their applications are summarized, with an emphasis on the distinctive advantages of LD MOFs over their bulk counterparties. First, the unique physical and chemical properties of LD MOF-based materials are briefly introduced. Synthetic strategies of various LD MOFs, including 1D MOFs, 2D MOFs, and LD MOF-based composites, as well as their derivatives, are then summarized. Furthermore, the potential applications of LD MOF-based materials in catalysis, energy storage, gas adsorption and separation, and sensing are introduced. Finally, challenges and opportunities of this fascinating research field are proposed.

Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and ultrasound: A review

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have received a lot of attention due to their unique properties and abundant functionalities. Permanent porosity and high surface area are just a few traits that have made them attractive to researchers. They can be prepared as task-specific materials by exploiting the functional group variety and tuning their size and geometry. The main purpose of this review is to present an alternative method of preparing MOF crystals and underline the advantages of ultrasound assisted (sonochemical) synthesis. State of the art ultrasound assisted techniques for the preparation of MOFs in nanoscale are presented. Optimization of morphology and particle size is highlighted throughout this work, as we discuss the effects of various factors, such as energy input, reagent concentration, adequate solvents, reaction time and more.

Janus-micromotor-based on-off luminescence sensor for active TNT detection

An active TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) catalytic sensor based on Janus upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP)-functionalized micromotor capsules, displaying "on-off" luminescence with a low limit of detection has been developed. The Janus capsule motors were fabricated by layer-by-layer assembly of UCNP-functionalized polyelectrolyte microcapsules, followed by sputtering of a platinum layer onto one half of the capsule. By catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide to oxygen bubbles, the Janus UCNP capsule motors are rapidly propelled with a speed of up to 110 μm s^-1. Moreover, the Janus motors display efficient on-off luminescent detection of TNT. Owing to the unique motion of the Janus motor with bubble generation, the likelihood of collision with TNT molecules and the reaction rate between them are increased, resulting in a limit of detection as low as 2.4 ng mL^-1 TNT within 1 minute. Such bubble-propelled Janus UCNP capsule motors have great potential for contaminated water analysis.

Hierarchical Nanosheet-Based MS2 (M = Re, Mo, W) Nanotubes Prepared by Templating Sacrificial Te Nanowires with Superior Lithium and Sodium Storage Capacity

Hierarchical nanosheet-based nanotubes are very attractive because their unique structure endows them with large surface areas and exposes massive active sites for functional applications. We herein demonstrate a facile one-pot hydrothermal approach to fabricate the hierarchical nanosheet-based MS₂ (M = Re, Mo, W) nanotubes by using Te nanowires as sacrificial templates. The hierarchical nanotubes show tube channels of ∼30 nm and hierarchical channel walls with a tunable thickness of up to ∼50 nm. As exemplified for application in Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, the ReS₂ hierarchical nanotubes exhibit excellent specific capacities (1137 mA h g^-1 for Li-ion batteries and 375 mA h g^-1 for Na-ion batteries at 0.1 A g^-1 after 100 cycles), good cycling stabilities, and high rate capabilities, demonstrating their promising applicability in rechargeable batteries. This work may open up new opportunities for further exploration of new types of hierarchical nanostructures for applications, e.g., in catalysis, energy chemistry, and gas adsorption and separation.

Recognition of trace organic pollutant and toxic metal ions via a tailored fluorescent metal–organic coordination polymer in water environment

A novel fluorescence material H₂Sr₂(bqdc)₃(phen)₂ (1) for trace recognition of organic pollutant and toxic metal ions is designed and prepared by two weak fluorescent ligands and Sr²⁺. The latter was selected although it played no role in the modulation process of luminescence and despite low-cost, alkaline earth, metal–organic coordination polymers lacking competitive functionality. The strong fluorescence of the fluorescence material was based on the propeller configuration of the metal–organic coordination polymer, which was characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction showing that the N active sites inside the crystal channels can interact with external guests. Convenient fluorescence detection of 3-AT can be realized using an ultraviolet lamp and test strip and the determination of Cd²⁺ showed good reusability with a detection limit of 1 × 10⁻⁹ mol L⁻¹, which is lower than the standard stipulated by the Environmental Protection Agency. Detailed experiments results revealed that the material was a promising candidate for specifically recognizing amitrole and Cd²⁺ because of its selective fluorescence quenching and sensitive detection in water.

Complexes with strong fluorescence can conveniently detect the trace organic pollutant amitrole and repeatedly recognize toxic Cd²⁺with a low detection limit.

A Fluorescent Anionic MOF with Zn4(trz)2 Chain for Highly Selective Visual Sensing of Contaminants: Cr(III) Ion and TNP

Heavy-metal ions and nitroaromatic substances are highly toxic and harmful to human health and the ecological environment. It is an urgent issue to selectively detect and capture these toxic substances. By introducing the triazole ligand to the π-conjugated aromatic carboxylate system and borrowing the organic template open framework idea, a stable fluorescent framework [Me₂NH₂]₄[Zn₆(qptc)₃(trz)₄]·6H₂O (1) (H₄qptc = terphenyl-2,5,2'5'-tetracarboxylic acid, trz = 1,2,4-triazole) has been successfully synthesized, which features Zn₄(trz)₂ chain-based 3D anionic structure with channels filled by [Me₂NH₂]⁺ cations. It is worth noting that the material exhibits selective adsorption and recyclable detection of heavy-metal Cr³⁺ ion in aqueous solutions, which may be the synergy from the metal charge, bond ability of metal ions to carboxylate oxygen atom, and soft-hard acid-base properties. Furthermore, it can selectively sense of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol with a large quenching coefficient K_sv of 2.08 × 10⁶ M^-1.

A supramolecular Tröger's base derived coordination zinc polymer for fluorescent sensing of phenolic-nitroaromatic explosives in water

A V-Shaped 4-amino-1,8-napthalimide derived tetracarboxylic acid linker (L; bis-[N-(1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid)]-9,18-methano-1,8-naphthalimide-[b,f][1,5]diazocine) comprising the Tröger's base (TB) structural motif was rationally designed and synthesised to access a nitrogen-rich fluorescent supramolecular coordination polymer. By adopting the straight forward precipitation method, a new luminescent nanoscale Zn(ii) coordination polymer (TB-Zn-CP) was synthesized in quantitative yield using Zn(OAc)2·2H2O and tetraacid linker L (1 : 0.5) in DMF at room temperature. The phase-purity of as-synthesised TB-Zn-CP was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis, infra-red spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Thermogravimetric analysis suggests that TB-Zn-CP is thermally stable up to 330 °C and the morphological features of TB-Zn-CP was analysed by SEM and AFM techniques. The N2 adsorption isotherm of thermally activated TB-Zn-CP at 77 K revealed a type-II reversible adsorption isotherm and the calculated Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area was found to be 72 m2 g-1. Furthermore, TB-Zn-CP displayed an excellent CO2 uptake capacity of 76 mg g-1 at 273 K and good adsorption selectivity for CO2 over N2 and H2. The aqueous suspension of as-synthesized TB-Zn-CP showed strong green fluorescence (λmax = 520 nm) characteristics due to the internal-charge transfer (ICT) transition and was used as a fluorescent sensor for the discriminative sensing of nitroaromatic explosives. The aqueous suspension of TB-Zn-CP showed the largest quenching responses with high selectivity for phenolic-nitroaromatics (4-NP, 2,4-DNP and PA) even in the concurrent presence of other potentially competing nitroaromatic analytes. The fluorescence titration studies also provide evidence that TB-Zn-CP detects picric acid as low as the parts per billion (26.3 ppb) range. Furthermore, the observed fluorescence quenching responses of TB-Zn-CP towards picric acid were highly reversible. The highly selective fluorescence quenching responses including the reversible detection efficiency make the nanoscale coordination polymer TB-Zn-CP a potential material for the discriminative fluorescent sensing of nitroaromatic explosives.

Guest-induced SC–SC transformation within the first K/Cd heterodimetallic triazole complex: a luminescent sensor for high-explosives and cyano molecules

The first K/Cd heterodimetallic complex based on triazole has been generated during ion- and solvent-exchange in SC–SC transformation.

Luminescent sulfonate coordination polymers: synthesis, structural analysis and selective sensing of nitroaromatic compounds

Enhanced fluorescence intensity of sulfonate coordination polymers on addition of picric acid.

Structural diversity of Zn(ii) based coordination polymers constructed from a flexible carboxylate linker and pyridyl co-linkers: fluorescence sensing of nitroaromatics

Five new Zn(ii) based coordination polymers have been synthesized that were used in the sensing of nitroaromatic compounds via luminescence quenching.

pH-Stable Eu- and Tb-organic-frameworks mediated by an ionic liquid for the aqueous-phase detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP)

pH-Stable Eu- and Tb-organic-frameworks mediated by ionic liquids for the aqueous-phase detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP).

A 3D luminescent Zn(ii) MOF for the detection of high explosives and the degradation of organic dyes: an experimental and computational study

A 3D uncommon porous MOF 1 with a 4-c lonsdaleite (lon) topology based on binuclear Zn clusters behaves as a fluorescent chemosensor and a photocatalyst.

Fluorescence sensing of nitro-aromatics by Zn(ii) and Cd(ii) based coordination polymers having the 5-[bis(4-carboxybenzyl)-amino]isophthalic acid ligand

Three new d¹⁰ based MOFs using 5-[bis(3-carboxybenzyl)-amino]isophthalic acid were synthesized and their sensing behavior towards nitroaromatics was evaluated.

Photodynamics of Zr-based MOFs: effect of explosive nitroaromatics

The present work describes the fluorescence spectroscopy and photodynamics of two different Zr mixed-linkers MOFs (Zr-NDC/Tz and Zr-NDC/CN) and their interactions with nitroaromatics.

Picogram sensing of trinitrophenol in aqueous medium through a water stable nanoscale coordination polymer

A water stable nanoscale coordination polymer (CP) can detect trinitrophenol (TNP) in an aqueous medium at a record-picogram level (∼1.66 pg cm(-2)) with a detection limit of 1.66 ppb. This is a simple and low-cost method for the detection of TNP in aqueous media in contact mode, taking advantage of the unique structural arrangement of the as-synthesized CP and the associated photophysical properties.

Conversion of Cu2O nanowires into Cu2O/HKUST-1 core/sheath nanostructures and hierarchical HKUST-1 nanotubes

Hierarchical HKUST-1 nanotubes obtained from the conversion of Cu₂O nanowires followed by core removal showed a fast uptake of dyes.

Metal–organic frameworks based luminescent materials for nitroaromatics sensing

During the various applications of MOFs, the photoluminescence properties of MOFs have received growing attention, especially for nitroaromatics (NACs) sensing. In this highlight, we summarize the progress in recent research in NACs sensing based on MOFs and sensing applications for nano-MOF type materials and MOF film.

Mixed ligand two dimensional Cd(ii)/Ni(ii) metal organic frameworks containing dicarboxylate and tripodal N-donor ligands: Cd(ii) MOF is an efficient luminescent sensor for detection of picric acid in aqueous media

Two water stable MOFs [M(BrIP)(TIB)]_n [M = Cd(ii), Ni(ii)] have been prepared. Cd(ii) MOF serves as photoluminescent sensor for detection of TNP in aqueous phase.

Fluorescence based explosive detection: from mechanisms to sensory materials

The detection of explosives is one of the current pressing concerns in global security. In the past few decades, a large number of emissive sensing materials have been developed for the detection of explosives in vapor, solution, and solid states through fluorescence methods. In recent years, great efforts have been devoted to develop new fluorescent materials with various sensing mechanisms for detecting explosives in order to achieve super-sensitivity, ultra-selectivity, as well as fast response time. This review article starts with a brief introduction on various sensing mechanisms for fluorescence based explosive detection, and then summarizes in an exhaustive and systematic way the state-of-the-art of fluorescent materials for explosive detection with a focus on the research in the recent 5 years. A wide range of fluorescent materials, such as conjugated polymers, small fluorophores, supramolecular systems, bio-inspired materials and aggregation induced emission-active materials, and their sensing performance and sensing mechanism are the centerpiece of this review. Finally, conclusions and future outlook are presented and discussed.

Controlled lanthanide-organic framework nanospheres as reversible and sensitive luminescent sensors for practical applications

Two novel 3D frameworks were synthesized, and further nanosized to form nanospheres. Studies revealed that is the first MOF-based luminescent sensor for detecting cyclohexane, and this is also the first time that quick regeneration, high sensitivity, high yield, and easy nanocrystallization of MOF-based luminescent sensors have been simultaneously realized.

π-System based coordination polymer hollow nanospheres for the selective sensing of aromatic nitro explosive compounds

π-System embedded coordination polymer hollow nanospheres were synthesized, which showed a good sensing performance for the detection of aromatic explosive nitro-compounds.

A Zn(ii) coordination polymer and its photocycloaddition product: syntheses, structures, selective luminescence sensing of iron(iii) ions and selective absorption of dyes

Nanospheres of a Zn(ii) complex are used to selectively sense iron(iii) ions while its photocycloaddition product can selectively absorb dyes.

Ionic liquid directed syntheses of water-stable Eu– and Tb–organic-frameworks for aqueous-phase detection of nitroaromatic explosives

Ionic liquid directed syntheses of water-stable Eu– and Tb–organic-frameworks for aqueous-phase detection of nitroaromatic explosives.