Host–Guest
interaction is crucial to the sensitivity of
heterogeneous sensors. Here, a series of isomorphic three-dimensional
lanthanide metal–organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs), [Ln(TCBA)(H2O)2]2·DMF [H
3
TCBA = tris(3′-carboxybiphenyl)amine;
Ln = Tb (1), Eu (2), and Gd (3); DMF = dimethylformamide] was synthesized and characterized, in
which the propeller-like TCBA
3–
ligands adopt special torsional link between Tb(III) ions
to form one-dimensional triangular channels. Optical experiments show
that 1 exhibits bright green luminescence with an overall
quantum yield of 26%, a 5D4 lifetime of 478
μs, and can act as an excellent heterogeneous fluorescent sensor
to detect 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) explosive with an
extremely low detection limit of 1.64 ppb. Because the confined channels
within 1 exhibit matched dimensions toward TNP and feature multiple guest-response sites including rich π-conjugated
groups, electron-donating N centers, and open metal nodes, strong
host–guest interactions between 1 and TNP are captured and accurately determined by online microcalorimetry,
which provides a distinctive thermodynamic perspective to understand
the heterogeneous sensing behaviors. Additionally, the finely modulated
heterometallic isomorphism [Tb0.816Eu0.184(TCBA)(H2O)2]2·DMF
emits bright white light when excited at 380 nm and could potentially
be used as single-phase white light-emitting diode phosphors materials.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.