Highly Fluorescent Metal–Organic Framework for the Sensing of Volatile Organic Compounds

Abstract

This communication describes an infinite 1D ribbon metal–organic framework (MOF) that crystallizes to produce large channels (13.4 × 17.5 Å) and exhibits strong aggregation enhanced fluorescence emission. The network is composed of tetrapyridine tetraphenylethene molecules coordinating to ZnCl2 nodes. When activated, the network exhibits enhanced turn-on fluorescence in response to methyl-substituted volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and quenching in response to nitro-substituted VOCs. This MOF shows potential as a valuable sensor due to its high surface area, highly fluorescent TPE moiety, and significant response to VOCs.