Metal–Organic Framework Supported on Processable Polymer Matrix by In Situ Copolymerization for Enhanced Iron(III) Detection

• Published in: Chemistry : a European journal Vol. 23; no. 16; pp. 3885 - 3890
• Main Authors: Liu, Chun‐Sen, Chen, Min, Tian, Jia‐Yue, Wang, Lei, Li, Min, Fang, Shao‐Ming, Wang, Xi, Zhou, Li‐Ming, Wang, Zhuo‐Wei, Du, Miao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 17.03.2017
• Subjects: Chemistry; Composite materials; Copolymerization; iron; Metal-organic frameworks; organic–inorganic hybrid composites; Particulate composites; Polymer matrix composites; Polymers; Polyurethane resins; Porous materials; sensors; Strategy; Synergistic effect; Walls; organic-inorganic hybrid composites; copolymerization; iron; sensors; metal-organic frameworks
• ISSN: 0947-6539; 1521-3765; 1521-3765
• DOI: 10.1002/chem.201604210

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) represent a promising class of porous materials. However, MOFs show poor processability that impedes their full potential in applications. This work develops a composite strategy to skillfully load MOFs on a polymer plate to afford processability for these powder materials. A predesigned mesoporous MOF with active −NH2 groups around the pore walls was prepared and its copolymerization with the −NCO groups of macromonomers (polyurethane acrylate) could be facilely induced by an initiator under mild conditions. Notably, the target MOF–polymer composite is transparent, elastic, and shows enhanced Fe3+ detection compared with that of the individual MOF functional component. This result can be ascribed to the synergistic effect of the composite with newly formed chemical bonds between the MOF particle and polymer matrix. Taming the MOF: An in situ copolymerization strategy was developed to load a predesigned metal–organic framework (MOF) onto a polymer matrix to afford a transparent and processable MOF–polymer composite with enhanced iron(III) ion detection (see figure).