Ultrasound assisted synthesis of amide functionalized metal-organic framework for nitroaromatic sensing

Nano plates of zinc(II) based metal-organic framework (MOF) were prepared via ultrasonic method without any surfactants at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Control of particle size and morphology was enhanced in this synthesis method. Nano plates of an interpenetrated amide-functionalized metal-organic framework, [Zn₂(oba)₂(bpfb)]·(DMF)₅, TMU-23, (H₂oba = 4,4'-oxybis(benzoic acid); bpfb = N,N'-bis-(4-pyridylformamide)-1,4-benzenediamine, DMF = N,N-dimethyl formamide), was synthesized under ultrasound irradiation in different concentrations of initial precursor. The nano structure and morphology of the synthesized MOF were characterized by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), powder X-ray diffraction, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis and FTIR spectroscopy. Moreover, Fluorescence emissions of nanoplates have been studied. Amide-functionalized MOF shows high selectivity for sensing of nitroaromatic compounds such as nitrophenol, nitroaniline, and nitrobenzene in acetonitrile solution. Fluorescence intensity decreased with increasing contents of nitroaromatics in acetonitrile solution due to fluorescence quenching effect.