Covert MOF-Based Photoluminescent Tags via Tunable Linker Energetics

• DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c20432
• Publication Date: 2022-01-07T22:12:04Z
• Authors: Jacob I. Deneff; Lauren E. S. Rohwer; Kimberly S. Butler; Nichole R. Valdez; Mark A. Rodriguez; Ting S. Luk; Dorina F. Sava Ga...
• Keywords: Linker; Bimetallic strip

Optical anticounterfeiting tags utilize the photoluminescent properties of materials to encode unique patterns, enabling identification and validation important items assets. These must combine optical complexity with ease production authentication both prevent counterfeiting remain practical for widespread use. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) based on polynuclear, rare earth clusters are ideal platforms this purpose, combining fine control over structure composition, tunable, complex energy transfer mechanisms via linker metal components. Here we report design synthesis a set heterometallic MOFs combinations Eu, Nd, Yb tetratopic 1,3,6,8-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)pyrene. The energetics facilitate intentional concealment visible emissions from Eu while retaining infrared Nd Yb, creating an tag multiple covert elements. Unique system reported herein, document occurrence previously not observed 11-metal cluster correlated presence in MOFs, coexisting commonly encountered 9-metal cluster. We demonstrate utility these as intricate rapid in-depth screening techniques, utilizing orthogonal identifiers across emission spectra, decay dynamics. This work highlights effect selection controlling resulting opens avenue targeted highly complex, multifunctional tags.