Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026

Synthesis and Characterization of Functionalized Metal-organic Frameworks
Published on: September 5, 2014
Radical-Induced Photochromic Silver(I) Metal-Organic Frameworks: Alternative Topology, Dynamic Photoluminescence and
Pei-Yu Liao1, Jia-Xin Li1, Jia-Chuan Liu1
1Key Laboratory of Bioinorganic and Synthetic Chemistry of Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry, IGCME, GBRCE for Functional Molecular Engineering, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China.
Novel metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with photogenerated radicals exhibit tunable photochromism and efficient near-infrared photothermal conversion. These radical-induced MOFs offer dynamic color changes and high-temperature generation for advanced material applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Photogenerated radicals are key in photochromic materials, influencing photoluminescence and photothermal conversion.
- Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer versatile platforms for designing advanced functional materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel radical-induced photochromic MOFs.
- To investigate their tunable photochromism and near-infrared (NIR) photothermal conversion capabilities.
- To develop a strategy for incorporating photoactive guests into MOFs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of two novel MOFs: [Ag(TEPE)](AC)·7/4H2O·5/4EtOH (1) and [Ag(TEPE)](NC)·3H2O·EtOH (2).
- Characterization using EPR and UV-Vis spectroscopy to confirm the radical-induced photochromic mechanism.
- Evaluation of photothermal conversion efficiency under 808 nm laser irradiation.
Main Results:
- The MOFs exhibit distinct topological networks, including a new 'sfm' net (4,4,4,4-c).
- Dynamic photochromism was observed across a wide CIE color space, with tunable emission from blue to orange.
- Photogenerated radicals activated efficient NIR photothermal conversion, reaching ~160°C (1*) and ~120°C (2*) with efficiencies of 51.8% and 36.2%, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The study successfully developed multifunctional radical-induced MOFs with tunable photoluminescence and photothermal properties.
- A feasible electrostatic compensation strategy was established for introducing photoactive anionic guests into MOFs.
- These findings pave the way for advanced photochromic and photothermal materials.
More Related Videos
12:51A 'Plug and Play' Method to Create Water-dispersible Nanoassemblies Containing an Amphiphilic Polymer, Organic Dyes and Upconverting Nanoparticles
Published on: November 14, 2015
10:13A Technical Guide for Performing Spectroscopic Measurements on Metal-Organic Frameworks
Published on: April 28, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human eye.
The Antenna Complex
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence
Photoluminescence: Applications
Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways