A magnesium-carboxylate framework showing luminescent sensing for CS2 and nitroaromatic compounds

Fluorescent Detection of Carbon Disulfide by a Highly Emissive and Robust Isoreticular Series of Zr-Based Luminescent Metal Organic Frameworks (LMOFs)

Carbon disulfide (CS2) is a highly volatile neurotoxic species. It is known to cause atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease and contributes significantly to sulfur-based pollutants. Therefore, effective detection and capture of carbon disulfide represents an important aspect of research efforts for the protection of human and environmental health. In this study, we report the synthesis and characterization of two strongly luminescent and robust isoreticular metal organic frameworks (MOFs) Zr6(µ3-O)4(OH)8(tcbpe)2(H2O)4 (here termed 1) and Zr6(µ3-O)4(OH)8(tcbpe-f)2(H2O)4 (here termed 2) and their use as fluorescent sensors for the detection of carbon disulfide. Both MOFs demonstrate a calorimetric bathochromic shift in the optical bandgap and strong luminescence quenching upon exposure to carbon disulfide. The interactions between carbon disulfide and the frameworks are analyzed by in-situ infrared spectroscopy and computational modelling by density functional theory. These results reveal that both the Zr metal node and organic ligand act as the preferential binding sites and interact strongly with carbon disulfide.

Functional metal–organic frameworks as effective sensors of gases and volatile compounds

This review summarizes the recent advances of metal organic framework (MOF) based sensing of gases and volatile compounds.

Two exceptionally stable luminescent MOFs for the selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous solution

Two exceptionally stable MOFs were selected as highly efficient sensors for the rapid, sensitive and selective detection of Fe³⁺ in aqueous solution.

Amino acid-derived alternating polyampholyte luminogens

A unique polyampholyte luminogen comprised of alternatively placed oppositely charged moieties onto the poly(styrene-alt-maleimide) skeleton was synthesized, and used for the specific detection of carbon disulfide (CS₂) in both solution and vapor phases.

A series of Mg–Zn heterometallic coordination polymers: synthesis, characterization, and fluorescence sensing for Fe3+, CS2, and nitroaromatic compounds

Herein, three luminescent Mg–Zn coordination polymers were constructed, which demonstrated high fluorescence sensing of Fe³⁺, CS₂, and nitro explosive compounds.

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.

Dispelling clichés at the nanoscale: the true effect of polymer electrolytes on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells

In the field of dye-sensitized solar cells, polymer electrolytes are among the most studied materials due to their ability to ensure both high efficiency and stability, the latter being a critical point of these devices. Hundreds of polymeric matrices have been proposed over the years, and their functionalization with several groups, the variation of their molecular weight and the tuning of the crosslinking degree have been investigated. However, the true effect that polymeric matrices have on the cell parameters has often been addressed superficially, and hundreds of papers justify the obtained results with a simple bibliographic reference to other systems (sometimes completely different). This work proposes a system of nanoscale growth and crosslinking of a polymer electrolyte inside a nanostructured photoanode. Electrochemical and photovoltaic parameters are carefully monitored as a function of thickness and degree of penetration of the electrolyte. The results derived from this study refute many clichés generally accepted and taken for granted in many literature articles, and – for the first time – a compromise between the amount of polymer, cell efficiency and stability is achieved.