Recognition of harmful fused aromatic hydrocarbons via a metal-organic framework with hydrophobic pores

A novel metal-organic framework (MOF) with a pi-conjugated porous condition is reported to sensor fused aromatic hydrocarbons molecules. This MOF assembled by N-heterocyclic multi-carboxyl ligands and Cd ions shows hexagonal hydrophobic channels along [100] and [010] directions with size 18.4 x 15.5 angstrom(2). Under the excitation of 338 nm, this MOF emits blue light peaking at 397 nm. Under immersing this MOF in the solutions containing aromatic hydrocarbon, including naphthalene, anthracene and phenanthrene within different time, the luminescent intensity of MOF enhanced different degree upon encapsulating aromatic hydrocarbons guest molecules. Therefore, this material shows favourable property of recognition for aromatic hydrocarbons molecules via solid-state photoluminescence. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.