Insights into the luminescent properties of poly(phenylene sulfide)-grafted metal-organic framework (Tb–MOF–PPS) copolymers

In this study, a novel poly(phenylene sulfide)-grafted metal-organic framework (Tb–MOF–PPS) was fabricated. Initially, 2,5-dichloroterephthalic acid and TbCl 3 ·6H 2 O were used as raw materials to synthesize the dihalogenated MOF (Tb–MOF) through ultrasound irradiation and hydrothermal methods. Subsequently, Tb–MOF was added at different mole proportions (2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10%) for the copolymerization of PPS, and a serial of Tb–MOF–PPS composites were successfully obtained. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy proved that the Tb–MOF was covalently connected to PPS. The introduction of the Tb–MOF had no evident influence on the thermal properties of the composites. Additionally, the fluorescence characteristics revealed that the fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of the composites had a large redshift compared with that of PPS and possessed visible-light photoluminescence properties. These results indicate that the composites obtained can be used as optical sensors.