A Luminescent Cu(II)-MOF with Lewis Basic Schiff Base Sites for the Highly Selective and Sensitive Detection of Fe3+ Ions and Nitrobenzene.

Abstract

A Schiff base functionalized Cu(II)-based metal-organic framework (MOF) denoted as Cu-L, was developed via a solvothermal method using low-cost starting material, i.e., Schiff base linker, 4,4'-(hydrazine-1,2-diylidenedimethylylidene)dibenzoic acid (L). Good crystallinity and thermal stability of synthesized Cu-L was confirmed by the crystallographic and thermogravimetric studies. An excellent photoluminescent properties of Cu-L ensure their suitability for the ultrafast detection of Fe3+ ions and nitrobenzene via a turn-off quenching response. The remarkable sensitivity of Cu-L towards Fe3+ ions and nitrobenzene was certified by the low limit of detection (LOD) of 47ppb and 0.004ppm, respectively. With incorporated free azine groups, this MOF could selectively capture Fe3+ ions and nitrobenzene in aqueous solution. The plausible mechanistic pathway for the quenching in the fluorescence intensity of the Cu-L in the presence of Fe3+ ions and nitrobenzene have been explained in detail through the density functional theory calculations, photo-induced electron transfer (PET), fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and competitive energy adsorption. This present study open a new avenue to synthesize novel crystalline MOF-based sensing materials from cheap Schiff base linkers for fast sensing of toxic pollutants.