Inorganic pigments known for presenting captivating colors have intrigued us for centuries. However, the quest for environmentally benign, highly stable, and cost-effective pigments remains a perpetual challenge. Vanadium oxides with different coordination and multioxidation states are known for their versatile properties across various fields. Our focus is on comprehending the optical properties of vanadium oxides with the general formula MV2O6 which is related to brannerite (UTi2O6) structure. The structures can be investigated for phase transformation by the synthesis of solid solutions. In this study, the parent compound of CaV2O6 is substituted by transition metal which is Mn+2 to display color change with rational compositions. The color can possibly come from optical band gap, d-d transitions and ligand-to-metal and/or metal -to metal charge transfer transitions.

 

Environmental pollution is a threat to human health due to the toxic effects that arise from prolonged exposure to toxins. Mortality rates related to environmental pollution have increased substantially in the past 25 years. Major contributors include urbanization, industrial development, and vehicle traffic. Specifically, accumulation of heavy metals within the environment due to the processes highlighted above are of concern. Overexposure to toxic heavy metals could lead to severe adverse effects such as neurological illnesses, kidney damage, cardiovascular disease as well as cancer. In this work, I will discuss the fabrication of a paper-based microarray functionalized with metal organic frameworks (MOF) comprised of lanthanide metal centers. Lanthanides lack the ability to efficiently fluoresce in isolation but when attached to an organic ligand, they utilize an “antenna effect” where the ligand (antenna) efficiently transfers the absorbed energy to the metal center, enhancing their fluorescent capabilities. By drop casting these MOF suspensions onto the microarray, we created a device that is responsive to heavy metal ions at low ppm concentrations. This design will allow for the quantitation of a broad collection of metal contaminants, providing a means for accurate, rapid, and simultaneous quantification of multiple heavy metal toxins of interest in a microarray format.