Macroscopic architecture of charge transfer-induced molecular recognition from electron-rich polymer interpenetrated...

Fluorescent and electron-rich polymer threaded into porous framework provides a scaffold for sensing acceptor molecules through noncovalent interactions. Herein, poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) threaded MIL-101 with confined nanospace was synthesized by vinyl-monomer impregnation, in situ polymerization, and interpenetration. The pore size of the resulted hybrid could be controlled by varying the time of polymerization and interpenetration. The interaction of PVK-threaded MIL-101 with guest molecules showed a charge-transfer progress with an obvious red shift in the optical spectra. Depending on the degree of the interaction, the solution color changed from blue to green or to yellow. In particular, electron-rich PVK-threaded MIL-101 could effectively probe electron-poor nitro compounds, especially 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNP), a highly explosive material. This sensing approach is a colorimetric methodology, which is very simple and convenient for practical analysis and operation.