Synthesis and characterization of conductive copper-based metal-organic framework/graphene-like composites as potential chemical sensors

A new class of copper-based metal-organic framework/graphene-like composites were synthesized starting from the HKUST-1 metal-organic framework. The composites were produced by varying the carbon nanoparticles loading and characterized by UV-Visible, X-ray and FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TGA), SEM, BET specific surface area and elemental analysis. Electrical characterization was also performed through resistive measurements in four contact geometry by using the Van der Pauw method. The composites are water-stable suggesting possible applications in gas purification.