Construction of Zn/Ni Bimetallic Organic Framework Derived ZnO/NiO Heterostructure with Superior N-Propanol Sensing Performance

Bimetallic organic frameworks (Bi-MOFs) have been recognized as one of the most ideal precursors to construct metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) composites, owing to their high surface area, various chemical structures, and easy removal of the sacrificial MOF scaffolds through calcination. Herein, we synthesized Zn/Ni Bi-MOF for the first time via a facile ion exchange postsynthetic strategy, formed a three-dimensional framework consisting of infinite one-dimensional chains that is unattainable through the direct solvothermal approach, and then transformed the Zn/Ni Bi- MOF into a unique ZnO/NiO heterostructure through calcination. Notably, the obtained sensor based on a ZnO/ NiO heterostructure exhibits an ultrahigh response of 280.2 toward 500 ppm n-propanol at 275 degrees C (17.2-fold enhancement compared with that of ZnO), remarkable selectivity, and a limit of detection of 200 ppb with a notable response (2.51), which outperforms state-of-the-art n-propanol sensors. The enhanced n-propanol sensing properties may be attributed to the synergistic effects of several points including the heterojunction at the interface between the NiO and ZnO nanoparticles, especially a one-dimensional chain MOF template structure as well as the chemical sensitization effect of NiO. This work provides a promising strategy for the development of a novel Bi-MOF-derived MOS heterostructure or homostructure with well-defined morphology and composition that can be applied to the fields of gas sensing, energy storage, and catalysis.

Automated summary

In this work, a Zn/Ni bimetallic organic framework was successfully synthesized for the first time using a facile ion exchange postsynthetic strategy, and then transformed into a ZnO/NiO heterostructure. A sensor based on this heterostructure exhibited ultrahigh response, remarkable selectivity, and low detection limit, outperforming current state-of-the-art sensors.