Cobalt-imidazole metal-organic framework loaded with luminol for paper-based chemiluminescence detection of catechol with use of a smartphone

Chemiluminescence (CL) reagent luminol was loaded into the porous structure of cobalt-imidazole metal-organic framework (MOF) ZIF-67 to obtain luminol-functionalized ZIF-67 (luminol@ZIF-67) with CL property. The morphology, composition, CL property, and CL mechanism of luminol@ZIF-67 were carefully investigated. The obtained luminol@ZIF-67 exhibited strong, stable, and visible CL emission that reacted with H2O2, attributed to the strong catalytic effect of ZIF-67 combined with the shortened diffusion distance between luminol and the catalytic center. The CL intensity of luminol@ZIF-67 was more than 550 times higher than that of luminol. Catechol can effectively quench the CL emission of luminol@ZIF-67 that reacted with H2O2. Then, a simple paper-based CL imaging detection method was developed for the detection of catechol by using a smartphone as a portable detector. The linear calibration curve of the developed CL assay for catechol ranged from 5 to 100 mg/L with detection limit of 1.1 mg/L (S/N = 3 delta). The strong CL emission of luminol@ZIF-67 combined with the effective quench ability of catechol guaranteed high sensitivity of the detection method. The practical application ability of the developed CL assay was tested by the determination of catechol in tea and tap water samples, resulting in acceptable results. This work provides an effective paper-based CL detection method for catechol and enriches the species of the chemiluminescent MOF material.

Automated summary

The chemiluminescent MOF material, luminol@ZIF-67, demonstrated strong, stable, and visible CL emission that reacted with H2O2, with a more than 550 times higher CL intensity compared to luminol. The addition of catechol effectively quenched the CL emission of luminol@ZIF-67, leading to the development of a paper-based CL imaging detection method for catechol with high sensitivity. The practical application of the method in detecting catechol in tea and tap water samples yielded acceptable results, showcasing the potential of the developed CL assay.