An exceptionally stable luminescent cadmium(II) metal-organic framework as a dual-functional chemosensor for detecting Cr(VI) anions and nitro-containing antibiotics in aqueous media

Based on four kinds of binuclear cadmium-carboxyl SBUs and two independent cadmium cations, a robust metal-organic framework, with the formula {[Cd-10(DDB)(4)(bpz)(8)(DMA)(H2O)(8.2)]center dot 2H(2)O}(n) (1), was successfully fabricated under solvothermal conditions. Benefitting from the excellent moisture susceptibility as well as luminescence property, 1 exhibits highly sensitive detectability as a dual-response chemosensor for Cr(VI) anions and broad-spectrum nitro-containing antibiotics in aqueous media through luminescence quenching, with excellent recyclability and low detection limits. Moreover, the fluorescence recognition mechanisms were explored from both internal filter effect (IFE) and photo-induced electron transfer (PET) viewpoints.

Automated summary

A new metal-organic framework material was successfully synthesized, exhibiting high sensitivity and detection performance in aqueous media with broad-spectrum applications. The fluorescence recognition mechanisms were also explored.