Cobalt(II)-Based Metal–Organic Framework as Bifunctional Materials for Ag(I) Detection and Proton Reduction Catalysis for Hydrogen Production

A novel cobalt(II)-based metal-organic framework, Co-MB, was prepared by hydrothermal reaction of Co(NO3)2·6H2O, 3,3'-methylenediphthalic acid (H4mda), and 1,4-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-benzene in sodium hydroxide aqueous solution and structurally characterized. It shows a high stability in water within the pH range from 2.2 to 11.6, which could be used as a highly selective and sensitive luminescent sensor for Ag(I) detection in a luminescent enhancement manner, with LOD about 23 nM. Importantly, such stable Co-MB could also work as proton reduction catalyst for photodriven hydrogen production coupled with visible-light organic dyes as photosensitizer. The influence factors of hydrogen production including pH, TEA (triethylamine) contents, and kinds of organic dyes are studied in detail. Under optimal condition, the TON value was up to 5133 per cycle, and this Co-MB could also be reused at least 3 times.