Ag-DNA@ZIF-8 membrane: A proton conductive photoswitch

Abstract Proton conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and further control of proton conduction are desired for advanced applications such as sensors and smart devices. Herein, the membrane of ZIF-8 co-modified by sliver nanoparticles and single-strand DNA (Ag-DNA@ZIF-8) is designed for proton conduction, which is switchable by light. In Ag-DNA@ZIF-8 membranes, light illumination can decrease the proton conductivity by 5 orders of magnitude. This decrement attributes to the heat from local surface plasma resonance effect that make water molecules break away from the pristine hydrogen-bonded network in DNA@ZIF-8, thus cutting off the proton transport pathway. The proton conductivity is reversible since when light turn off the water molecules can rebind with DNA again. The method of achieving highly switchable proton conductive MOFs by light is promising for the development of MOFs-based smart devices.