Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 as a luminescent material for the sensing of metal ions and small molecules

We present a rare example of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8), Zn(MeIM)(2)center dot(DMF)center dot(H2O)(3), as luminescent probes with multi-function sensitivity to detect metal ions and small molecules. Our results show that the luminescence intensity of ZIF-8 is strongly sensitive to Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions and small molecules such as acetone. In particular, the luminescence intensity of desolvated ZIF-8 proportionally decreases to the concentration of Cu2+, while increases to the concentration of Cd2+ owing to the recognition of element-imidazole nitrogen sites. The luminescence intensity increases gradually with the increase of amounts of acetone in the standard desolvated ZIF-8-emulsions. These results reveal that the ZIFs might be a good luminescent sensor for metal ions and small molecules.