Bioinspired 3D Hierarchical UiO-66-NH2 Nanoparticle/γ-AlO(OH) Nanowire for Simultaneous Detection and Removal of Fluoride Ions

Excessive fluorine can cause a serious threat to human health. It is significant but challenging to develop a straightforward and rapid way to simultaneously detect and remove excess F- from water. Herein, we presented a three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticle/gamma-AlO(OH) nano-wire hybrid synthesized by a facile biotemplate route for simultaneous detection and removal of F- from water. We elaborately assembled two kinds of materials in a bioinspired 3D hierarchical structure as a functional unit to achieve detection and removal of dual functions. The outer UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticles served as a fluorescent sensor to detect and capture F- via a strong fluorescence enhancement effect caused by the electron transfer from F- and gamma-AlO(OH) and acted as the capture unit of F-. The inner gamma-AlO(OH) nanowire layer served as a F- absorbent through ion exchange between F- and gamma-AlO(OH). The resulting UiO-66-NH2 nanoparticle/gamma-AlO(OH) nanowire hybrid displayed excellent selectivity and sensitivity for F- detection (the detection range was 0-5 mM and the limit of detection was as low as 0.77 mu M) and high capacity for F- removal (the maximum equilibrium adsorption capacity q(max) was as high as 87.0 mg g(-1)) This dual-function material provided a strategy for simultaneously selective sensing and efficient removal of anionic pollutants from water.

Automated summary

Excessive fluorine poses a serious health threat, and developing a simple and rapid method for detecting and removing excess F- from water is significant but challenging. In this study, a three-dimensional nanoparticle/nanowire hybrid was synthesized as a functional unit for the simultaneous detection and removal of F-. The material exhibited excellent selectivity and sensitivity for F- detection and high capacity for F- removal, providing a strategy for simultaneously selective sensing and efficient removal of anionic pollutants from water.