Embedded nano spin sensor for in situ probing of gas adsorption inside porous organic frameworks.

Zhang, Jie; Liu, Linshan; Zheng, Chaofeng; Li, Wang; Wang, Chunru; Wang, Taishan · Nat Commun · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Spin-based sensors have attracted considerable attention owing to their high sensitivities. Herein, we developed a metallofullerene-based nano spin sensor to probe gas adsorption within porous organic frameworks. For this, spin-active metallofullerene, Sc<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>80,</sub> was selected and embedded into a nanopore of a pyrene-based covalent organic framework (Py-COF). Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy recorded the EPR signals of Sc<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>80</sub> within Py-COF after adsorbing N<sub>2</sub>, CO, CH<sub>4</sub>, CO<sub>2</sub>, C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>6</sub>, and C<sub>3</sub>H<sub>8</sub>. Results indicated that the regularly changing EPR signals of embedded Sc<sub>3</sub>C<sub>2</sub>@C<sub>80</sub> were associated with the gas adsorption performance of Py-COF. In contrast to traditional adsorption isotherm measurements, this implantable nano spin sensor could probe gas adsorption and desorption with in situ, real-time monitoring. The proposed nano spin sensor was also employed to probe the gas adsorption performance of a metal-organic framework (MOF-177), demonstrating its versatility. The nano spin sensor is thus applicable for quantum sensing and precision measurements.