Fabrication of Oriented Silver-Functionalized RPM3 Films for the Selective Detection of Olefins

• Published in: Langmuir 2013-05, Vol.29 (19), p.5927-5936
• Main Authors: Marti, Anne M, Perera, Sanjaya D, McBeath, Layne D, Balkus, Kenneth J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Alkenes - analysis; Chemistry; Coordination Complexes - chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Models, Molecular; Organometallic Compounds - chemistry; Particle Size; Silver - chemistry; Surface physical chemistry; Surface Properties; Zinc - chemistry
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la400508y

Oriented thin films of a flexible, luminescent, metal organic framework (MOF), [Zn2(bpdc)2(bpee)·2DMF] (bpdc = 4,4′-biphenyldicarboxylate; bpee = 1,2-bipyridylethylene), also known as RPM3, were prepared on glass via pulsed laser deposition (PLD) followed by a solvothermal treatment. RPM3 thin films were then functionalized with AgNO3 by forming a π complex with the bpee linker. The reversible binding of olefins such as propylene and 1-hexene to the Ag+ functionalized RPM3 thin film was monitored by fluorescence spectroscopy. Adsorption of the olefins resulted in a fluorescence enhancement, while the corresponding paraffins either did not change or partially quenched the fluorescence. The RPM3 thin films hold promise as olefin sensors or adsorbents for olefin/paraffin separations.