Facilely synthesized Eu3+ post-functionalized UiO-66-type metal-organic framework for rapid and highly selective detection of Fe3+ in aqueous solution

The detection of Fe3+ in aqueous solution is a pertinent issue with implications in human health and environmental monitoring. As is known, Zr-based MOFs with UiO-66 topology exhibit extraordinary high thermal and chemical stability, making them excellent candidates for various applications. In this study, we have demonstrated a lanthanide functionalized MOF as a turn-off luminescent sensory material for the detection of Fe3+ in aqueous media. The proposed MOF, denoted as Eu3-VUiO-66(20), was synthesized through a facile hydrothermal reaction and followed Eu3+ post-functionalization. Luminescent investigations revealed the distinct quenching effect of Fe3+, with a fast response time within seconds. The results also demonstrated the excellent selectivity toward Fe3+ among a series of metal ions in aqueous solution and allowed a low detection limit of 12.8 mu M. This work developed a very promising strategy for the simple, accurate and instantaneous sensing of metal ions in practical applications. (C) 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.