Zhou Li

Title: Zr-MOFs for Colorimetric Detection of Acidic Gases

Abstract: Among the large family of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), Zr-based MOFs, which exhibit rich structure types, outstanding stability, and intriguing properties and functions, are foreseen as one of the most promising MOF materials for practical applications. This project aims to leverage the excellent adsorption capacity of Zr-MOFs to acidic gases such as NO2, SO2 and CO2 to develop sensing materials that respond to these target gases by changing color. MOF-808 is chosen due to its large pore size of 18.4 Å and excellent stability in acidic environments. Basically, amines including ethylenediamine and trimethylenediamine and pH indicators such as phenol red and cresol red are introduced to the inside pores of MOF-808. By capturing the protons produced by the reactions between the adsorbed acidic gases and amines, pH indicators exhibit color change. By choosing appropriate amines and pH indicators and by determining their specific content, we aim to achieve sensitive and selective colorimetric sensors for acidic gases.