Rapid synthesis of nanoscale terbium-based metal-organic frameworks by a combined ultrasound-vapour phase diffusion method for highly selective sensing of picric acid

A combined ultrasound-vapour phase diffusion technique was used for the rapid synthesis of a terbium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), [Tb(1,3,5-BTC)](n). Compared with conventional solvothermal and ultrasound-assisted methods, such a kind of combined ultrasound-vapour phase diffusion technique is highly sufficient for synthesizing nanoscale MOF crystals in remarkably high yields. Significantly, the as-prepared [Tb(1,3,5-BTC)](n) nanocrystals exhibited highly selective sensing of picric acid (PA) without the interference of other nitroaromatic compounds such as nitrobenzene, 2-nitrotoluene, 4-nitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, and 2,6-dinitrotoluene. This makes them a potential candidate for developing novel luminescence sensors for the highly selective sensing of PA.