Ratiometric multiplexed barcodes based on luminescent metal–organic framework films

Abstract

Herein, a new MOF barcoded system is developed based on lanthanide photofunctionalized MOF films that contain multiple emission bands. The encoding strategy is based on tuning the emission intensity of lanthanide MOFs in multiple bands via the encapsulation of a screen layer containing different amounts of organic dyes. By controlling the filtered dye loading, we can predict and tune the emissions of Ln³⁺@MIL-100 (In) films in multiple bands and therefore give rise to distinct ratiometric optical codes. This work highlights the opportunity of lanthanide luminescent MOFs for generating barcodes in a reproducible and robust way. In addition, spectral encoding relying on lanthanide luminescence offers a range of advantages over organic fluorophores and quantum dots, such as low spectra and background interference, and self-referencing.