A magnetic mesoporous nanocomposite modified with a ruthenium complex for site-specific molecular oxygen sensing: Construction and characterization

Abstract In this paper, we constructed a core–shell structured organic–inorganic hybrid composite, where superparamagnetic ferroferric oxide and silica molecular sieve MCM-41 were used as the inner core and the outer shell, respectively. A Ru(II) complex was covalently grafted into these MCM-41 tunnels. Electron microscopy images, XRD analysis, IR spectra, thermogravimetry and N2 adsorption/desorption analysis were applied to confirm this Ru(II)-functionalized hybrid composite. Emission of this composite decreased with increasing O2 concentrations, which made itself an O2 sensing system. High selectivity (12.2), linear working curve (linearity = 0.99) and short response time (12 s) were obtained from this composite.