1
Return

Framework Response-Activated SERS Sensing: A Guest-Induced “Gate-Opening” Strategy for Ultrasensitive Sub-Ppt Formaldehyde Detection

delete2026-06-04
delete0
PRE
AI
J
Jia-Wei Huang
S
Shu Han
T
Tian-Qing Zhang
A
An Wang
Y
Yin-Yin Qian *
Y
Yadong Zhou
Y
Yi-Chuan Kou
S
Sheng-Hong Liu *
F
Fan‐Li Zhang *
DOI:10.1021/acssensors.6c02215delete
deleteOriginal
deleteOriginal request for help
deleteShare
deleteSave
Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Precise in situ monitoring of trace formaldehyde (CH2O), a high-risk indoor volatile organic compound (VOC), is critical for public health. However, direct surface-enhanced Raman scattering detection remains a formidable challenge due to the negligible Raman scattering cross-section of CH2O and weak adsorption affinity on noble metals. Herein, an ordered Au@ZIF-8 core−shell heterostructure array was developed to achieve efficient “capture-and-enhance” synergistic sensing. Beyond passive physical enrichment, a unique “guest-induced framework response” mechanism was elucidated through 13C isotope labeling spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. Atomistic calculations reveal that highly electrophilic CH2O preferentially binds to deprotonated defect sites within the framework, inducing a localized conformational torsion of the imidazole linkers and a substantial narrowing of the bandgap. This minor structural torsion relaxes spatial symmetry constraints, thereby activating and enhancing specific host vibrational modes that serve as robust Raman signal reporters. By optimizing the array configuration and shell thickness, the localized electromagnetic field was tailored to compensate for the intrinsic scattering deficiencies of CH2O. The resulting sensor achieves an ultra-low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.16 ppt and exhibits excellent linearity (R2 ≥ 0.99) from 0.01 ppb to 100 ppm. Furthermore, the cooperative synergistic effects of kinetic molecular sieving and localized host−guest chemical chemisorption within the ZIF-8 matrix grant the sensor robust resistance to complex interferences such as ethanol and toluene. This mechanism-driven strategy, leveraging the flexible response of metal-organic frameworks, establishes a new paradigm for the molecular-level identification of trace VOC gases.
Keywords:
surface-enhanced Raman scattering
formaldehyde detection
metal-organic framework
guest-induced response
isotope labeling

Journal

ACS Sensors cover
ACS Sensors
IF:
9.1
Papers:
975
Citations:
2.6W

Organization

X
Xinjiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences
Scholars:
1.4K
Papers: 904
Citations: 1.5K
H
huzhou normal university
Scholars:
139
Papers: 47
Citations: 0
C
china jiliang university
Scholars:
1.9K
Papers: 623
Citations: 0
Cited Papers

Cited Papers

Citing Papers

Citing Papers