Facile synthesis of a fluorescent probe based on a terbium-based metal–organic framework for selective detection of Fe(iii) and Al(iii)

Abstract

It is critical to detect Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ rapidly and accurately due to their high risk to humans and the ecological environment. In this work, a kind of terbium-based metal–organic framework fluorescent probe (Tb-MOF) is facilely fabricated that displays ultra-high selective detection of Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ over various coexisting ions (i.e. Mn²⁺, Co²⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Na⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Fe²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺). The obtained Tb-MOF exhibits emission at 547 nm and possesses outstanding thermal, fluorescent and chemical stability. The Tb-MOF shows a ratiometric fluorescence signal for Al³⁺, and the detection limits for Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ are 0.91 and 6.10 μM, respectively. Moreover, the fluorescence intensities and concentrations of Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ have good linear relationships across wide concentration ranges. Furthermore, the quantifications of Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ are achieved in complex tap and river water samples with good recoveries. This study offers a facile and efficient method of developing a fluorescent probe that possesses the ability to quantify Fe³⁺ and Al³⁺ in real environmental water samples.