abstract
Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent platforms for engineering luminescence properties as their building blocks, metal ions, linkers, and guest ions or molecules, are all potential sources of light emission. Temperature is one of the most important physical properties affecting the dynamics and viability of natural and engineered systems. Because the luminescence of certain lanthanide-bearing MOFs changes considerably with temperature, in the last few years, these materials have been explored as optical thermometers, especially in temperature sensing based on the intensity ratios of two separate electronic transitions. This review discusses the main concepts and ideas assisting the design of such ratiometric thermometers, and identifies the main challenges presented to this nascent field: develop nanothermometers for bio-applications and nanomedicine; understand the energy transfer mechanisms determining the thermal sensitivity; achieve effective primary thermometers; realize multifunctional nanothermometers; integrate Ln(3+)-based thermometers in commercial products.
keywords
INTRAMOLECULAR ENERGY-TRANSFER; COORDINATION POLYMERS; THEORETICAL APPROACH; PHOTOTHERMAL THERAPY; TEMPERATURE SENSORS; HIGH-SENSITIVITY; METAL; EMISSION; FLUORESCENCE; NANOSCALE
subject category
Chemistry
authors
Rocha, J; Brites, CDS; Carlos, LD
our authors
acknowledgements
This work was developed in the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (Ref. FCT UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC and when applicable co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. CDSB (SFRH/BPD/89003/2012) thanks Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for a post-doctoral grant.