Tag Archive for: MOF

Scientific publication

First Direct Gravimetric Detection of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) Water Contaminants, Combination with Electrical Measurements on the Same Device—Proof of Concepts

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Authors: Ivanov, G.R.; Venelinov, T.; Marinov, Y.G.; Hadjichristov, G.B.; Terfort, A.; David, M.; Florescu, M.; Karakuş, S.

Journal: Chemosensors 

Abstract:

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pollutants of concern due to their long-term persistence in the environment and human health effects. Among them, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is very ubiquitous and dangerous for health. Currently, the detection levels required by the legislation can be achieved only with expensive laboratory equipment. Hence, there is a need for portable, in-field, and possibly real-time detection. Optical and electrochemical transduction mechanisms are mainly used for the chemical sensors. Here, we report the first gravimetric detection of small-sized molecules like PFOS (MW 500) dissolved in water. A 100 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measured at the third harmonic and an even more sensitive 434 MHz two-port surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator with gold electrodes were used as transducers. The PFOS selective sensing layer was prepared from the metal organic framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr). Its nano-sized thickness and structure were optimized using the discreet Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film deposition method. This is the first time that LB multilayers from bulk MOFs have been prepared. The measured frequency downshifts of around 220 kHz per 1 µmol/L of PFOS, a SAW resonator-loaded QL-factor above 2000, and reaction times in the minutes’ range are highly promising for an in-field sensor reaching the water safety directives. Additionally, we use the micrometer-sized interdigitated electrodes of the SAW resonator to strongly enhance the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the PFOS contamination. Thus, for the first time, we combine the ultra-sensitive gravimetry of small molecules in a water environment with electrical measurements on a single device. This combination provides additional sensor selectivity. Control tests against a bare resonator and two similar compounds prove the concept’s viability. All measurements were performed with pocket-sized tablet-powered devices, thus making the system highly portable and field-deployable. While here we focus on one of the emerging water contaminants, this concept with a different selective coating can be used for other new contaminants.

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Comparison of Thin-Film Capacitor Geometries for the Detection of Volatile Organic Compounds Using a ZIF-8 Affinity Layer

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Authors: Aleksander Matavž, Margot F. K. Verstreken, Jorid Smets, Max L. Tietze, and Rob Ameloot

Journal: ACS Sensors (2023)

 

Abstract

Their chemical diversity, uniform pore sizes, and large internal surface areas make metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) highly suitable for volatile organic compound (VOC) adsorption. This work compares two geometries of capacitive VOC sensors that use the MOF material ZIF-8 as an affinity layer. When using a permeable top electrode (thickness < 25 nm), the metal–insulator–metal (MIM) sandwich configuration exhibits superior sensitivity, an improved detection limit, and a smaller footprint than the conventional interdigitated electrode layout. Moreover, the transduction of VOC adsorption in ZIF-8 via MIM capacitors is more sensitive to polar VOCs and provides better selectivity at high loadings than gravimetric and optical transductions.

 

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Nanoporous Metal–Organic Framework Thin Films Prepared Directly from Gaseous Precursors by Atomic and Molecular Layer Deposition: Implications for Microelectronics

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Authors: Jenna Multia, Dmitry E. Kravchenko, Víctor Rubio-Giménez, Anish Philip, Rob Ameloot, and Maarit Karppinen

Journal: ACS Appl. Nano Mater. (2023)

 

Abstract

Atomic/molecular layer deposition (ALD/MLD) allows for the direct gas-phase synthesis of crystalline metal–organic framework (MOF) thin films. Here, we show for the first time using krypton and methanol physisorption measurements that ALD/MLD-fabricated copper 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (Cu-BDC) ultrathin films possess accessible porosity matching that of the corresponding bulk MOF.

 

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Publication on AWSensors technology

Aerosol Jet Printing of the Ultramicroporous Calcium Squarate Metal–Organic Framework

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Authors: Dmitry E. Kravchenko, Aleksander Matavž, Víctor Rubio-Giménez, Hanne Vanduffel, Margot Verstreken, Rob Ameloot

Journal: Chem. Mater. (2022)

 

Abstract

Efficient methods to deposit thin layers of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are needed to integrate these microporous materials into microelectronics, sensing devices, and membranes. Herein, we report for the first time the direct aerosol jet printing of a MOF material. The ultramicroporous MOF [Ca(C4O4) (H2O)] (UTSA-280) was deposited from an aqueous precursor solution. In addition to blanket coatings, aerosol jet printing provides direct access to patterned coatings with a resolution of 100 μm via a digital, maskless approach. Moreover, by enabling spatial control over the layer thickness via the number of passes of the nozzle, this direct-write approach presents a more accessible alternative to advanced patterning techniques such as grayscale lithography.

 

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