Floral and lamellar europium (III)-based metal-organic framework as the high sensitivity luminescence sensor for acetone

Two europium(III)-based metal organic frameworks (Eu-BDC, Eu-BTC) have been synthesized by solvothermal method with high sensitivity. It is found that the sensitivity of Eu-BDC (0.065 vol%) which consists of flower-like microncrystals constructed by abundant nanoparticles and Eu-BTC (0.06 vol%) which comprises of nanolayers-bunch are both below the occupational exposure limit of acetone (0.075 vol%) stipulated by the ACGIH, and they have well chemical stability, promising to detect acetone content in the environment. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of Eu-BDC, and Eu-BTC may be the fluorescence inner filter effect (IFE). Furthermore, the morphology of Eu-MOFs, that is, specific surface area and pore size distribution, may be one of the factors affecting the fluorescence intensity and sensitivity of Eu-MOFs to acetone.