Using the Luminescence and Ion Sensing Experiment of a Lanthanide Metal-Organic Framework to Deepen and Extend Undergraduates' Understanding of the Antenna Effect

An integrated and research-focused laboratory experiment is developed to introduce the antenna effect occurring in luminescent lanthanide complexes to students. Students synthesized a lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) with the formula of [Eu(BTPCA)(H2O)]center dot 2DMF center dot nH(2)O (Eu-BTPCA, H(3)BTPCA = 1,1',1 ''-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tripiperidine-4-carboxylic acid) by the solvothermal method and characterized its structure by powder X-ray diffraction. They then measured the luminescence spectrum of Eu-BTPCA and compared it with that of EuCl3. Finally, students performed the luminescent sensing studies to metal ions. This experiment lets students gain the first-hand experience of solvothermal syntheses of MOFs and introduces essential scientific research approaches to students as well as exposes students to modern instrumental techniques for chemical research. Most importantly, through this experiment and its outcomes analyses, students can better understand the antenna effect and witness its application in metal ion luminescent sensing.