Humidity-Mediated Dual Ionic-Electronic Conductivity Enables High Sensitivity in MOF Chemiresistors

In the presence of water, the electrically conductive metal-organic framework (MOF) Cu₃HHTT₂ (H₆HHTT = 2,3,7,8,12,13-hexahydroxy-4b1,5,10,15-tetraazanaphtho[1,2,3-gh]tetraphene) provides a conduit for proton transport, thereby becoming a dual ionic-electronic conductor. Owing to its dual conducting nature and its high density of imine and open metal sites, the MOF operates as a particularly sensitive chemiresistor, whose sensing mechanism changes with relative humidity. Thus, the interaction of NH₃ gas with the MOF under low humidity promotes proton transport, which translates to high sensitivity for ammonia detection. Conversely, NO₂ gas hinders proton conductivity, even under high relative humidity conditions, leading to large resistance variations in the humid regime. This dual ionic-electronic conduction-based gas sensor provides superior sensitivity compared to other conventional chemiresistors under similar conditions and highlights its potential as a platform for room-temperature gas sensors.