Volume 57, Issue 39 pp. 12961-12965
Communication

A Calixarene-Based Metal–Organic Framework for Highly Selective NO2 Detection

Marcel Schulz

Marcel Schulz

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and ZFM—Center for Solid State Chemistry and New Materials, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany

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Adrian Gehl

Adrian Gehl

Institute of Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology, Leibniz University Hannover, Appelstraße 9A, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany

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Jakob Schlenkrich

Jakob Schlenkrich

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and ZFM—Center for Solid State Chemistry and New Materials, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany

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Hendrik A. Schulze

Hendrik A. Schulze

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and ZFM—Center for Solid State Chemistry and New Materials, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany

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Prof. Dr. Stefan Zimmermann

Prof. Dr. Stefan Zimmermann

Institute of Electrical Engineering and Measurement Technology, Leibniz University Hannover, Appelstraße 9A, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany

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Dr. Andreas Schaate

Corresponding Author

Dr. Andreas Schaate

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry and ZFM—Center for Solid State Chemistry and New Materials, Leibniz University Hannover, Callinstraße 9, 30167 Hannover, Germany

Laboratory for Nano and Quantum Engineering, Leibniz University Hannover, Schneiderberg 39, 30167 Hannover, Germany

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First published: 20 July 2018
Citations: 94

Graphical Abstract

A zirconium-based MOF with calixarene linkers was synthesized and characterized. It exhibits a complex three-dimensional pore system that exposes the calixarenes for the selective detection of NO2. The impressive and reversible color change from white to blue makes the material a visual sensor for NO2 at room temperature.

Abstract

A calixarene-based metal–organic framework (Zr-cal, [Zr6O4(OH)4(FA)6]2(cal)3], FA=formate, cal=1,3-alt-25,26,27,28-tetrakis[(carboxy)methoxy]calixarene) was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The three-dimensional framework is a 4,6-connected network of gar topology and exhibits two equal but nonintersecting three-dimensional pore systems. It has a specific BET surface area of 670 m2 g−1, and the calixarene cavities are accessible through the pore systems. The exposed calixarenes can be used for the visual detection and encapsulation of NO2 through the formation of deeply colored charge–transfer complexes inside the MOF. The highly selective complexation was analyzed by UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy, and the stability of the material was confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Finally, the MOF was used as a sensor material in a home-made sensor cell and showed high sensitivity for NO2.

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