Visualizing the degradation of nerve agent simulants using functionalized Zr-based MOFs: from solution to hydrogels.

Visual monitoring of the degradation of nerve agent simulants based on the switchable fluorescence of UiO-66-NH2 was developed. In the hydrolysis, the decomposition products perturbed the linker-to-cluster charge transfer and stimulated the fluorescence recovery. Moreover, a "soft" solid-state platform utilizing agarose hydrogels was proposed to visualize the degradation of gaseous simulants without bulk water.