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Description
MOFs are top notch candidates for sensing applications due to their high porosity, large surface area, and highly exposed surface sites, which are prone to specific interactions with target molecules, ions or gases. MOFs are produced by the self-assembly of multidentate organic ligands connecting with multivalent metal nodes through strong coordination interactions. The unlimited combinations of metals and ligands allow the design and preparation of ad-hoc structures. Surface chemistry and microstructure (i.e. exposed facets, surface defects, polarity) have a significant impact on surface and bulk interaction process. The MOF flexibility for pre- and post-processing can be exploited to enhance the performance toward sensing applications, particularly by combining with organic and inorganic materials to produce composite materials. Polymers, metal oxides, metal nanoparticles, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots and GRMs are the most commonly used materials for the preparation of MOF composites and hybrids 1. In this work, core-shell hybrid materials obtained allowing the MOF structure to growth onto the surface of zinc oxide nanoparticles are reported. In the synthesis strategy adopted here, zinc oxide serves as both the core-shell structure and the metal source for the growth of MOF structures. Zinc-based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are chosen for the MOF shell due to their robust porosity, resistance to thermal changes, and chemical stability. Different types of imidazole-based linkers have been explored to fabricate ZIF-based hybrids (Fig.1).
The obtained materials have been full characterized from the morphological, structural and textural points of view highlighting the instauration of synergistic effects between the hybrid components. A selection of the produced materials has been also tested for the detection of metal ions in solution.
