The sensing mechanism of luminescent metal-organic framework [Zn(3-tzba)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)] -3H2O for formaldehyde detection was explored by using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory methods. Our investigation found that luminescent
metal-organic framework [Zn(3-tzba)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)] • 3H2O is able to interact with formaldehyde through hydrogen bonding to the framework. The luminescent mechanism of the hydrogen-bonded complex is photo-induced electron transfer; while the luminescent mechanism
of luminescent metal-organic framework [Zn(3-tzba)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)]-3H2O is ligand-to-ligand charge transfer. The intermolecu-lar hydrogen bond was found to be stronger in the excited state than that in the ground state by analyzing the geometry nuclear magnetic
resonance, binding energy and infrared spectrum in different electronic states. Calculated fluorescence radiative rate coefficient and internal conversion rate coefficient qualitatively indicated a reduced radiative process and an enhanced internal conversion process of the hydrogen-bonded
complex. The hydrogen-bonded complex exhibits luminescence weakening or even quenching due to the enhancement of the intermolecular hydrogen bond in the excited state compare with luminescent metal-organic framework [Zn(3-tzba)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)]-3H2O. The variable
luminescence demonstrated the potential of luminescent metal-organic framework [Zn(3-tzba)(2,2′-bipy)(H2O)]-3H2O as luminescent sensor for formaldehyde detection.
