Nonlinear optical metal-organic frameworks for ratiometric temperature sensing in physiological range

The precise and real-time sensing of the temperature within the physiological range is of great significance in biology and medicine. Here, a Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF) named Zn-TCOMA is synthesized with good SHG performance due to its unique structure of the ligand and 3D frameworks. By encapsulating the two-photon fluorescent dye DMASE into the pores of Zn-TCOMA, the composite Zn-TCOMA superset of DMASE is obtained and simultaneously exhibits SHG response and two-photon fluorescence. Utilizing the intensity ratio between two-photon fluorescence of DMASE and SHG signal of Zn-TCOMA, Zn-TCOMA superset of DMASE exhibits ratiometric temperature sensing property at physiological temperature region of 20 similar to 60 degrees C with high sensitivity. This MOF thermometer also shows excellent repeatability, good biocompatibility, and high temperature resolution of 0.018 degrees C, opening a new avenue to develop diverse optical thermometric or thermographic applications in biotechnology or other areas. (C) 2020 Chinese Chemical Society and Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

The Zn-TCOMA MOF, with its unique structure, shows SHG response and two-photon fluorescence when encapsulating the dye DMASE. The composite material can be used for ratiometric temperature sensing with high sensitivity in the physiological temperature range.