Dual-Function Lanthanide–Organic Frameworks Based on a Zwitterionic Ligand as a Ratiometric Thermometer and a Selective Sensor for Nitroaromatic Explosives

Abstract

Lanthanide–organic frameworks have been extensively exploited as efficient chemical sensors for versatile analyte detection. In this work, based on a zwitterionic ligand, N-(4-carboxybenzyl)-4-(4-carboxyphenyl)­pyridinium chloride, a family of lanthanide–organic frameworks, [Ln2(L)3·NO3]·(NO3)2·xsolvent [Ln-MOF (Ln = Eu3+ and Tb3+)], has been synthesized and structurally characterized. The obtained Eu3+/Tb3+-mixed Tb99.9/Eu0.1-MOF can serve as a ratiometric thermometer with high sensitivity from 247 to 377 K. For its strong luminescence and good water stability, Eu-MOF can be developed as a selective and sensitive sensor for detecting the nitroaromatic explosive 2,4,6-trinitrophenol with a low detection limit of 82.35 nM.

Lanthanide-based metal–organic framework materials as bifunctional fluorescence sensors toward acetylacetone and aspartic acid

“…18,19 In particular, the photoluminescence characteristics of Ln-MOFs expand the application in molecular switches and chemical sensors. [10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24] Many Ln-MOFs have been applied to detect metal cations, inorganic anions and small organic molecules. 25,26 However, there are few reports of Ln-MOFs for the detection of amino acids.…”

Fabrication of a Stable Europium-Based Luminescent Sensor for Fast Detection of Urinary 1-Hydroxypyrene Constructed from a Tetracarboxylate Ligand

“…In fact, considerable efforts have been dedicated to seeking simple and effective methods on detecting urinary 1-HP for the past few years. Benefitting from the fascinating fluorescent capabilities such as characteristic and strong emission peaks, long lifetimes, high quantum yields, and large Stokes shift, − metal–organic frameworks constructed from lanthanide (Ln-MOFs), especially Eu-centered and Tb-centered MOFs featuring the typical red or green luminescence of Eu­(III) and Tb­(III), have been successfully explored and widely applied in chemical sensors, covering metal ions, − anions, − organic molecules, − antibiotics, − temperature variation, and luminescent devices. − Yan’s group reported a luminescent Eu-doped Ga-MOF applied as a fast-responsive, highly sensitive, and selective sensor for detecting 1-HP . Liu and coworkers developed an Eu 3+ -incorporated Zn-MOF considered as a potential ratiometric luminescent probe for 1-HP .…”

A Benzothiadiazole-Based Eu3+ Metal–Organic Framework as the Turn-On Luminescent Sensor toward Al3+ and Ga3+ with Potential Bioimaging Application

“…As a type of functional materials with bright prospects, luminescent metal–organic frameworks (LMOFs) have become one of the most effective materials to detect metal ions, − owing to their fluorescence characteristics, adjustable porosity and structural designability. − Among them, Ln-MOF is a sort of typical LMOFs. Compared to the transition metal based MOFs, Ln-MOFs have excellent luminescence characteristics, such as favorable Stokes shifts, increased color purity, outstanding quantum yields, and extended lifetime of the emission because of antenna effect, particularly regarding Eu 3+ and Tb 3+ derivatives. − Plenty of Eu 3+ /Tb 3+ -based MOFs have been extensively used for self-calibrated detection, e.g., small organic molecules, metal cations, anions, gases, and biomarkers. − In addition, the optical features of LMOFs can be successfully used as luminescent markers in biomedical applications . Porous geometry and optical characteristics of LMOFs are considered important carriers for sensing metal ions in cancer cells .…”