Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) formed by self-assembled organic chromophores and metal ions typically have impressive luminescent properties. Here, two complexes are investigated in which the chromophore is naphthalene-based and the metal ion is either zinc or gadolinium. Results are compared to previous studies on a similar Mn-MOF to elucidate the effects that the different metals and the complexes’ 3-dimensional structures have on emissive properties of the complexes. Emission spectra and photoluminescent lifetimes were acquired in a variety of solvents to test the effects of solvent dielectric constant on quantum yield and emission profiles, as the naphthalene chromophore is known to pi stack and delocalize excited state electrons. Nanosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (nsTAS) was also employed to acquire the overall excited state lifetimes in order to elucidate the nature of nonradiative processes that occur before photon emission.

Photophysical investigation of zinc and gadolinium metal organic frameworks with naphthalene chromophore in various solvent environments

ACS Fall 2021

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