AIE-Active Tetrazolyl Tetraphenylethylene-Based Metal-Organic Framework as Highly Selective Chemosensor for Nitro...

Area of Science:

• Materials Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Developing sensitive fluorescence sensors for nitro-explosive detection in aqueous environments is crucial for security and environmental safety.
• Existing methods face challenges in speed, sensitivity, and applicability in water.
• Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable properties for sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize novel MOFs for enhanced nitro-explosive detection.
• To investigate the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) properties of MOFs for sensing.
• To evaluate the selectivity and sensitivity of the developed MOFs in aqueous solutions.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of two novel MOFs using a tetrakistetrazole-functionalized tetraphenylethylene (H4tazope) ligand and Cd(II)/Co(II) ions.
• Structural characterization of the coordination polymers, revealing unique topological networks and coordination modes.
• Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to assess the sensing capabilities for nitro-explosives.

Main Results:

• Two novel MOFs, 1 and 2, were successfully synthesized with rare nona- and octa-coordinating bridging modes.
• The MOFs exhibit unprecedented 2D 3-nodal and 2-fold interpenetrated (4,12)-connected topological networks.
• The luminescent MOF demonstrated highly selective fluorescence-based detection of nitro-explosives in aqueous phase.

Conclusions:

• The developed AIE-active MOFs show significant potential for selective and sensitive nitro-explosive detection.
• These materials offer a promising platform for advancing security and environmental monitoring technologies.
• The unique structural features contribute to the enhanced sensing performance in aqueous environments.