Preparation and thiols sensing of luminescent metal–organic framework films functionalized with lanthanide ions

•Continuous In-BTC films were prepared using in situ solvothermal synthesis method.•The Pt nanoparticles improve the heterogeneous nucleation and growth of In-BTC films.•Luminescent films were achieved by post-functionalizing In-BTC with lanthanide ions.•Luminescent films show good performance in fast detection of thiol vapors.

Continuous and well-attached thin films of indium trimesate metal–organic framework (MOF) were prepared rapidly by in situ solvothermal synthesis method on silicon wafer modified with platinum nanoparticles. The film growth process and possible mechanism were studied in detail. Luminescent metal–organic framework thin films, In-BTC⊃Ln, were achieved by the post-functionalization of the resulted MOF film In-BTC with lanthanide ions (Eu3+, Tb3+, Dy3+ or Sm3+). The structure and morphology of the films were investigated by XRD and SEM. The luminescent properties of the In-BTC⊃Ln films indicate that lanthanide ions are sensitized by organic linker via the metal carboxylates in the pores. More interestingly, the luminescent In-BTC⊃Ln films show good performance in fast detection of volatile thiols such as 1,2-ethanedithiol and 1-butanethiol.

Graphical abstractContinuous luminescent MOF films, In-BTC⊃Ln were achieved by the post-functionalization of In-BTC films with lanthanide ions. And luminescent films show good performance in fast detection of vaporous thiols.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide