Metal-Organic Framework Flowers as a Naked-Eye Colorimetric Indicator of Trace Water

Convenient and sensitive trace water indication is of great significance in various industrial processes. Here, a flower-like metal-organic framework Cu-FMM is assembled from ultrathin nanosheets that change its coordination structure reversibly with the capture and loss of water molecules, enabling sensitive trace water naked-eye colorimetric indication ability. A recognizable black/yellow color change can be observed when the dried Cu-FMM is exposed to the atmosphere or solvent with trace water as low as RH 3% and a water content of 0.25‰ (v/v) and further enables potential trace water imaging applications. The excellent accessibility of the multi-scale pore structure of Cu-FMM contributes to a fast response time of 3.8 s with good reversibility (>100 cycles), outperforming traditional coordination polymer humidity sensors. The present study provides new inspirations for the design of sensitive and applicable naked-eye water indicator materials that are applicable to in situ and continuous monitoring in industrial processes.