Rational morphology control of nano-scale amide decorated metal-organic frameworks by ultrasonic method: Capability to selective and sensitive detection of nitro explosives

One of the key challenges in rational design and synthesis of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is defined control over size and morphology for using these materials in many more advanced applications. Combining ultrasonic method and capping groups makes it possible to control the size and change the morphology of metal organic frameworks without changing material compositions. Nano TMU-46, 47 and 48 with copper metal center and amide functionalized pillar were synthesized by using ultrasonic irritation and characterized by FE-SEM, powder X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and FTIR spectroscopy. Sensing properties of these nano scale materials and the correlation between the nano structure and nitroaromatic compounds detection were studied. Nano TMU-46 due to its special and porous structure and available functional group show strong luminescence emission, which is selectively sensitive to Trinitrophenol (TNP) with a detection limit of 10^-3 M. Furthermore, multiple morphological transition in the structure of these crystals were observed with using different modulators. This morphology transition, in fact, successfully led to significant change in sensing properties of this structure and decreased the detection limit to 10^-5 M.