MOF-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of environmentally important heavy metals

Metal-organic frameworks (MOF) are relatively new type of materials. They typically have porous structure with large surface area. Chemical and physical properties of MOFs can be easily tuned be selecting appropriate ligands and metals. The tuneable properties of MOFs make them ideal candidates for sensors, including electrochemical sensors. There are several papers where electrochemical MOF sensors have been used for detection of heavy metals, gases and organic compounds. However, there are some limitations that are common to MOF based materials. Often stability of the materials is not good in aqueous systems. Also, the most common MOFs are not conductive although some highly conductive MOFs have been synthesised. In this research project new MOF based materials and modified MOF surfaces (composites) will be synthesised and their properties in electrochemical analysis of environmentally important heavy metals will be evaluated. It is expected that 2-3 peer-reviewed papers will be published in international journals.