SYNTHESIS OF ZINC CARBOXYLATES METAL–ORGANIC FRAMEWORK FOR SENSING OF NITROAROMATIC COMPOUNDS

Novel zinc carboxylates metal–organic frameworks (Zn-MOFs) with different sizes and shapes constructed by Zn(II) ions, succinate and isonicotinate were synthesized by a polymer-assisted method. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, powder X-ray diffraction and fluorescence spectroscopy. Results indicated that the size and shape of the Zn-MOFs could be adjusted by changing the quantity of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). Fluorescence sensing of 2-nitrotoluene, 4-nitrotoluene and 2,4-dinitrotoluene was also studied and the results revealed that the as-prepared Zn-MOFs with a sheet-like shape were highly sensitive to nitro-compounds and promising to be developed as a novel luminescent sensor for detection in nitroaromatic explosives.