A novel Cd-MOF with enhanced thermo-sensitivity: the rational design, synthesis and multipurpose applications

A novel fluorescent Cd-MOF probe [Cd-2(btec)(TPB)(0.5)(H2O)(4)]center dot 2H(2)O (complex 1, TPB = 1,2,4,5-Tetra(4-pyridyl)benzene) has been rationally designed and synthesized, and its multipurpose sensing applications have been revealed. The thermo-sensitive property of complex 1 was investigated in a wide temperature range from 20 degrees C to 160 degrees C. A good linear relationship was observed between the fluorescence quenching efficiency of complex 1 and the circumstance temperature, which suggested that complex 1 could be a promising material for application in fluorescent thermometers. Stable suspensions could be obtained after dispersion of complex 1 in various solvents, especially in water. A remarkable red shift (about 20 nm) in the fluorescence emission spectrum of complex 1 was observed when H2O was used as the dispersion medium compared with that in D2O, which could be used for distinguishing D2O from H2O. Furthermore, based on the strong inner filtering effect (IFE), the fluorescence detection of acetone in water was carried out using complex 1-H2O suspensions. Real-time fluorescence quenching was observed after the addition of acetone into complex 1-H2O suspensions. Moreover, the fluorescence quenching efficiency vs. the concentration of acetone fitted well with a non-linear equation (R-2 = 0.9929) with an experimental detection limit for acetone as 0.06% (vol%). In addition, the photoelectric responses study revealed that complex 1 might be modified and used as a photoelectric sensor.