A light-driven ultrafast sensor based on biocompatible solvatochromic metal-organic frameworks

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Sensing
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Developing porous frameworks with solvatochromism for chemical sensing is challenging.
• Existing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) lack speed, durability, and biocompatibility for practical sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and characterize a novel solvatochromic metal-organic framework (MOF) for fast, endurant, and biocompatible visual sensing.
• To demonstrate the MOF's application as a highly efficient humidity sensor.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a cobalt and trimesic acid-based MOF.
• Solvatochromism examination via solvent exchange.
• In vivo and in vitro toxicity assays.
• Implementation and testing of a MOF-based humidity sensor.

Main Results:

• The MOF exhibits high selectivity for water/dimethylformamide mixtures.
• Color change occurs within 0.1 seconds over 50 cycles, significantly faster than existing MOFs.
• Toxicity assays confirm high biocompatibility despite cobalt content.
• A rapid, durable, and biocompatible MOF humidity sensor was successfully implemented.

Conclusions:

• The developed MOF offers a promising solution for fast, visual chemical sensing.
• The MOF's biocompatibility and rapid response enable practical applications, such as humidity sensing for sensitive materials.
• Light-driven recovery enhances the sensor's sustainability and reusability.