Introducing Single Pd Atoms into a Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Framework for Enhanced Benzene Vapor Detection.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable porous structures for gas sensing applications.
• Developing highly sensitive and selective sensors for volatile organic compounds like benzene is crucial for environmental monitoring and safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and synthesize a two-dimensional porphyrinic MOF, Al-TCPP-Pd, functionalized with atomically dispersed palladium.
• To investigate the performance of Al-TCPP-Pd for ultrasensitive benzene vapor detection.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Al-TCPP-Pd MOF.
• Gas sensing measurements for benzene vapor detection.
• Characterization using in situ Raman spectroscopy, quasi-in situ XPS, and Grand Canonical Monte Carlo simulations.

Main Results:

• Al-TCPP-Pd exhibited a detection limit of 1 ppb for benzene vapor.
• The MOF sensor showed a fourfold higher response compared to analogs.
• Excellent selectivity against interfering gases, humidity resistance, and 180-day operational stability were observed.
• Synergistic effects of geometric confinement and Pd coordination enhanced benzene adsorption.

Conclusions:

• Atomically dispersed palladium in MOFs significantly enhances benzene sensing performance.
• The Al-TCPP-Pd MOF presents a promising platform for developing advanced gas sensors.
• This work highlights the potential of single-atom functionalization for MOF-based sensor design.