Carbon nanodots functional MOFs composites by a stepwise synthetic approach: Enhanced H₂ storage and fluorescent sensing

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hybrid composites, combining the advantages of both MOFs and nanoparticles, may exhibit unprecedented properties. Herein, carbon nanodots (Cdots) functional UMCM-1 composites (Cdots@UMCM-1a) were successfully synthesized by a stepwise synthetic approach for the first time. The hybrids retain the intact structure of MOFs with high luminescence and longer stability. Due to the interactions between polar functional groups at the surface of the Cdots and H₂ molecules, Cdots@UMCM-1a efficiently enhanced H₂ storage capacity. Most importantly, Cdots@UMCM-1a exhibited highly fluorescent sensing for nitroaromatic explosives owing to the double effect of porous MOFs and fluorescent Cdots. This work will pave new avenues for the fabrication of novel and multifunctional MOFs composites.