Portable paper-based probe for on-site ratiometric fluorescence determination of total flavonol glycosides in plant extract using smartphone imaging

A smartphone-assisted, paper-based ratio fluorescence probe is presented for the rapid, low-cost and on-site quantification of total flavonol glycosides in Ginkgo biloba extracts (GBE). The Al3+/Eu-MOF/paper-based probe utilizes lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) nanoparticles immobilized on Whatman filter paper along with Al3+ for detecting flavonols, which are the hydrolyzed products of flavonol glycosides. The color change of the paper-based fluorescence image from red to orange depends on the concentration of the target analyte in the sample solution. The smartphone equipped with a red, green, blue (RGB) color detector measured the fluorescence signal intensity on the paper substrate after adding flavonol. The analytical variables affecting the performance of the probe, including the addition sequence of the aluminum nitrate solution, its concentration, that of the Ln-MOF solution, the drying time of the paper probe, the reaction time and the sensitivity parameters of the mobile phone camera (ISO), were optimized. Under optimal conditions, the Al3+/Eu-MOF/paper-based probe has good linear response in the concentration range 7 ~ 80 µg mL- 1 and a lower detection limit of 2.07 µg mL- 1. The results obtained with the paper-based ratio fluorescence probe and smartphone combination were validated by comparing them with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measurements. This study provides a potential strategy for fabricating Al3+/Eu-MOF/paper-based probe used for total flavonol glycosides determination.

Synthesis, solid state characterization, theoretical and experimental spectroscopic studies of the new lanthanide complexes

Three new complexes Na[Ln(pic)₄]ּ⋅2.5H₂O (Ln = Tb, Eu or Gd; pic = picolinate) were synthesized and characterized by infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analyses. The molecular structures of the complexes have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The three isostructural lanthanide complexes crystalize in the hexagonal system with space group P6₁22 to Eu complex and Gd complex and space group P6₅22 to Tb complex. In each of the complexes, the picolinate ligands are bonded to Ln³⁺ and Na⁺ ions by different coordination modes promoting polymeric structures. The photoluminescent properties of complexes were studied and combined with theoretical studies using the density functional theory (DFT: B3LYP, PBE1PBE) and the semiempirical method AM1/Sparkle from the single crystal X-ray diffraction structures to assign a suitable model for describing the system. The B3LYP DFT functional was considered the most adequate for providing structural properties of the compounds and for describing luminescence properties. The excited triplet states (T₁) and excited singlet states (S₁) of the ligand were determined theoretically using Time-dependent DFT calculations (TD-DFT: B3LYP, CAM-B3LYP and LC-wPBE) and INDO/S-CIS, with the best agreement with experimental values obtained from the LC-wPBE DFT functional. The photoluminescent spectra of the complexes and their lifetime measurements were determined indicating that the Eu complex and Tb complex display different intramolecular energy transfer mechanisms with higher efficiency to ligand-to-terbium energy transfer. In addition, the experimental and theorical Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters and quantum yields of the complexes were also determined and discussed besides to a proposed 9-state diagram to describe the luminescence properties of the Eu complex. The low value of emission quantum efficiency of ⁵D₀ emitting level of Eu(III) ion was explained by the presence of the ligand-to-metal charge transfer state (LMCT) evidenced experimentally and theoretically. A good agreement was obtained between the proposed kinetic model and experimental results showing the consistency of the set of rate equations assumed and the intramolecular pathways proposed.

Synthesis and Structural Characterization of an Amorphous and Photoluminescent Mixed Eu/Zr Coordination Compound, a Potential Marker for Gunshot Residues

Hydrogels based on mixed zirconium/europium ions and benzene tricarboxylic acid were synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. A solid glass-like material is formed upon drying, showing strong reddish luminescence. The system was characterized by solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, thermal analyses, and infrared spectroscopy. The results reveal the amorphous character of the structure and the presence of at least four types of binding modes between the metal oxide clusters and benzene tricarboxylic acid. On the other hand, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed high thermal stability, with the material decomposing at temperatures higher than 500 °C. The combination of intense Eu3+ luminescence with large thermal stability makes this material a strong candidate for application as a luminescent red marker for gunshot residue (GSR). As proof of concept, we show the feasibility of this application by performing shooting tests using our compound as a GSR marker. After the shots, the residual luminescent particles could be visualized in the triggered cartridge, inner the muzzle of the firearm, and a lower amount on the hands of the shooter, using a UV lamp (λ = 254 nm). Remarkably, our results also show that the Eu3+ emission for the GSR is very similar to that observed for the original solid material. These characteristics are of huge importance since they provide a chance to use smaller amounts of the marker in the ammunition, lowering the costs of potential industrial manufacturing processes.

Metal-Organic Framework-Plant Nanobiohybrids as Living Sensors for On-Site Environmental Pollutant Detection

Photoluminescent metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were grown in a living plant (Syngonium podophyllum) via immersing their roots in an aqueous solution of disodium terephthalate and terbium chloride hexahydrate sequentially for 12 h without affecting their viability. Then, app-assisted living MOF-plant nanobiohybrids were used for the detection of various toxic metal ions and organic pollutants. Their performance and sensing mechanism were also evaluated. The results demonstrated that the living plants served as self-powered preconcentrators via their passive fluid transport systems and accumulated the pollutants around the embedded MOFs, resulting in relative changes in fluorescence intensity. Therefore, the living MOF-plant nanobiohybrids initiate superior selectivity and sensitivity (0.05-0.5 μM) in water for Ag⁺, Cd²⁺, and aniline with a "turn-up" fluorescence response and for Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ with "turn-down" fluorescence response in the linear range of 0.05-10 μM with excellent precision and accuracy of 5 and 10%, respectively. With the easy-to-read visual signals under ultraviolet light, the app translates plant luminescent signals into digital information on a smartphone for on-site monitoring of environmental pollutants with high sensitivity and specificity. These results suggest that interfacing synthetic and living materials may contribute to the development of smart sensors for on-site environmental pollutant sensing with high accuracy.

A Series of Lanthanide-Based Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived from Furan-2,5-dicarboxylate and Glutarate: Structure-Corroborated Density Functional Theory Study, Magnetocaloric Effect, Slow Relaxation of Magnetization, and Luminescent Properties

Herein, through a dual-ligand strategy, we report eight isorecticular lanthanide(III) furan-2,5-dicarboxylic acid metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) with the general formula {[Ln(2,5-FDA)_0.5(Glu)(H₂O)₂]· xH₂O} _n [Ln = Sm (1), Eu (2), Gd (3), Tb (4), Dy (5), Ho (6), Er (7), and Yb (8); 2,5-FDA^2- = furan-2,5-dicarboxylate and Glu^2- = glutarate; x = 0.5 for 1, 2, and 4 and x = 0 for 3 and 5-8], synthesized under solvothermal conditions by using an N, N'-dimethylformamide/H₂O mixed solvent system. Crystallographic data reveal that all eight Ln-MOFs 1-8 crystallize in the orthorhombic Pnma space group. All of the MOFs are isostructural as well as isomorphous with distorted monocapped square-antiprismatic geometry around the Ln1 metal center. In Ln-MOFs 1-8, the 2,5-FDA^2- and Glu^2- ligands exhibit μ₂-κ⁴,η¹:η¹:η¹:η¹ and μ₃-κ⁵,η²:η¹:η¹:η¹ coordination modes, respectively. Topologically, assembled Ln-MOFs 1-8 consist of the 2D cem topological type. The designed Ln-MOFs 1-8 are further explored for structure-corroborated density functional theory study. Meanwhile, room temperature photoluminescence properties of Ln-MOFs 2 and 4 and magnetic properties of Ln-MOFs 3 and 5 have been explored in detail. A highly intense, ligand-sensitized, Ln³⁺ f-f photoluminescence emission is exhibited by Ln-MOFs 2 [Eu³⁺ (red emission)] and 4 [Tb³⁺ (green emission)]. Magnetic studies suggest weak antiferro- and ferromagnetic interactions between adjacent Gd^III ions in Ln-MOF 3, thereby displaying a large magnetocaloric effect. The magnetic data measured at T = 2 K and Δ H = 30 kOe depict that the -Δ S_m value per unit mass reaches 32.1 J kg^-1 K^-1, which is larger than most of the Gd^III-based complexes reported. The alternating-current susceptibility measurements on Ln-MOF 5 revealed that out-of-phase signals are frequency- and temperature-dependent under both 0 and 2 kOe direct-current fields, thereby suggesting a typical slow magnetic relaxation behavior with two relaxation processes. This is further supported by the Cole-Cole plots at 2.4-6 K.

2,5-Furandicarboxylic acid as a linker for lanthanide coordination polymers: the role of heteroaromatic π–π stacking and hydrogen bonding

Heteroaromatic carboxylate ligands are very intriguing components of coordination assemblies such as coordination polymers (CPs) due to their inherently multitopic structures.

A series of 3D lanthanide coordination polymers decorated with a rigid 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid linker: syntheses, structural diversity, DFT study, Hirshfeld surface analysis, luminescence and magnetic properties

Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies reveal the formation of six new coordination polymers (CPs) with the general formulas [Dy(3,5-pdc)(3,5-pdcH)(H2O)2]n·nH2O (1), [Pr2(3,5-pdc)3(H2O)2]n·2n(H2O) (2), [Sm2(3,5-pdc)3(H2O)3]n·nH2O (3), {[Eu2(3,5-pdc)3(H2O)3(CH3CHO)]n·n[2(H2O)(DMF)]} (4), {[Gd2(3,5-pdc)3 (H2O)2]n·2nH2O} (5) and [Er(3,5-pdc)(adip)0.5(H2O)]n (6) (where 3,5-pdc2- = fully deprotonated; 3,5-pdcH- = partially deprotonated 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid; adip2- = fully deprotonated adipic acid; and DMF = dimethylformamide) by solvothermal self-assembly of lanthanide ions with rigid 3,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid as a linker and adipic acid as an auxiliary flexible spacer (only coordinated in CP 6). CPs 1 and 2 crystallize in the triclinic P1[combining macron] space group, whereas CPs 3, 4 and 6 crystallize in the monoclinic P21/n, P21/c and C2/c space groups, respectively. CP 5 exhibits the trigonal R3 space group. The 3,5-pdc ligand exhibits eight diverse coordination modes in CPs 1-6, whereas the adipic acid spacer in CP 6 shows only one coordination mode (μ4-κO:κO,O:κO:κO,O). The organic ligands interconnect with metal ions to generate 3D metal-organic frameworks with a variety of intriguing topologies. Theoretical studies, DFT calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis support the structures adopted by the various CPs. CPs 3 (Sm) and 4 (Eu) emit strong ligand-sensitized characteristic f-f luminescence. Weak ferromagnetic interactions have been studied at low temperatures for CP 1 and CP 5.

Solid-state tunable photoluminescence in gadolinium-organic frameworks: effects of the Eu3+ content and co-doping with Tb3+

Tunable photoluminescence was observed as a function of the excitation wavelength.