Boron Ligands Boosting the Electrochemiluminescence Performance of Europium Metal–Organic Frameworks by Facilitating the Electronic Bridging

For optimal energy transfer in self-luminous lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs), the energy of the lowest triplet excited state must align with ideal energy levels. Failure to meet this condition can lead to reverse energy transfer, reducing luminous efficiency. In this study, we developed a mixed-ligand MOF, Eu-TCPP-BOP, which exists as an ECL self-enhancing luminophore. We used SPECM to study the role of boron ligands as a bridge for electron transport in improving the ECL performance of Eu-TCPP. The ligands H₄TCPP and 5-BOP act as electron donor and shuttle, facilitating electron transport during the synthesis of Eu-TCPP-BOP and promoting energy transfer to the excited state of the acceptor Ln³⁺, thus enhancing overall energy transfer in Ln-MOF. The results indicate that the introduction of boron ligands enhances the ECL intensity of Eu-TCPP by a factor of 1.4 under voltage excitation. As an ECL sensing platform, it demonstrates high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of catechol, with a concentration range of 1∼70 μM and a detection limit of 0.35 μM.