Luminescent metal-organic frameworks as explosive sensors

Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are of enormous current interest not only because of their fundamental importance but also due to their great potential for possible applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, imaging and sensing, to name a few. Recent studies on luminescent MOFs (LMOFs) in both bulk and nanoparticle forms have shown that these materials possess excellent luminescence emission properties that may be utilized to effectively detect high explosive substances. Developing highly sensitive, selective, fast-responding and fully reversible sensors for explosives' detection is in great demand for the homeland security, environmental safety and other humanitarian concerns. In this perspective article, we discuss the development, possible mechanism and future aspects of explosive sensing by LMOF materials.