A Highly Stable Yttrium Organic Framework as a Host for Optical Thermometry and D₂ O Detection

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable properties for sensing and thermometry.
• Lanthanide-doped MOFs are promising for luminescent applications due to their unique optical characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel MOF material for ratiometric luminescent thermometry and deuterium oxide (D2O) sensing.
• To investigate the temperature-dependent luminescence and water-exchange properties of the synthesized MOF.

Main Methods:

• Hydrothermal synthesis of a yttrium-terbium-europium benzene-1,4-dicarboxylate MOF.
• Characterization of structural, thermal, and hydrothermal stability.
• Analysis of luminescence properties and temperature-dependent behavior.
• Investigation of D2O exchange and its effect on luminescence decay lifetimes.

Main Results:

• The MOF exhibits high thermal stability (up to 673 K in air) and hydrothermal stability (up to 513 K).
• A ratiometric luminescent thermometer was demonstrated in the 288-573 K range with high sensitivity (1.69±0.04 % K⁻¹ at 523 K).
• The material acts as a quantitative luminescent D2O sensor by replacing H2O, showing potential for practical applications.

Conclusions:

• The synthesized MOF is a robust material suitable for harsh conditions.
• The MOF enables highly sensitive ratiometric temperature sensing and quantitative D2O detection.
• This work highlights the potential of lanthanide-doped MOFs in developing advanced sensing technologies.