Nonlinear optical metal-organic frameworks for ratiometric temperature sensing in physiological range

Abstract The precise and real-time sensing of the temperature within the physiological range is of great significance in biology and medicine. Here, a Zn-based metal-organic framework (MOF) named Zn-TCOMA is synthesized with good SHG performance due to its unique structure of the ligand and 3D frameworks. By encapsulating the two-photon fluorescent dye DMASE into the pores of Zn-TCOMA, the composite Zn-TCOMA⊃DMASE is obtained and simultaneously exhibits SHG response and two-photon fluorescence. Utilizing the intensity ratio between two-photon fluorescence of DMASE and SHG signal of Zn-TCOMA, Zn-TCOMA⊃DMASE exhibits ratiometric temperature sensing property at physiological temperature region of 20∼60 °C with high sensitivity. This MOF thermometer also shows excellent repeatability, good biocompatibility, and high temperature resolution of 0.018 °C, opening a new avenue to develop diverse optical thermometric or thermographic applications in biotechnology or other areas.