Organic Linker Hybridization Induced Tunable and Intense Ultra Violet Emission From Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8

Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) having primary linker 2‐methylimidazole inherently exhibits visible emission. In this study, ultraviolet (UV) emission in UVC‐UVB range (290–300 nm) has been generated from ZIF‐8 by incorporating a secondary linker (benzimidazole) in the framework. The intensity of this novel UV emission is further enhanced with a quantum yield of 62.3% by confining N,N‐dimethylformamide (DMF) molecules with in the pore network of hybrid ZIF‐8. Photoluminescence lifetime measurements under different excitations confirm its origin to rapid radiative decay of the excited states through fluorescence without any contribution from the phosphorescence. Theoretical studies using the Density Functional Theory provide evidence of modifications in band structure and density of states due to the involvement of the exchanged benzimidazole in the charge transfer mechanism. The modifications in the band structure leading to enhancement in the intensity are attributed to guest‐host interaction between entrapped DMF molecules and the hybrid ZIF‐8. The observed intense and tunable emission in UVC‐UVB range from hybrid ZIF‐8 makes it a suitable material for inactivation of bacteria and virus, curing, environmental sensing, plant growth lighting, and phototherapy.