Highly selective detection of Cu2+ in aqueous media based on Tb3+-functionalized metal-organic framework.

Abstract In this work, a metal−organic framework UiO-66-(COOH)2 has been synthesized and is further functionalized with Tb3+ through coordination interactions. The functionalized MOF, denoted as Tb3+@UiO-66-(COOH)2, is fully characterized and further developed as an excellent fluorescent probe to monitor Cu2+ ions in aqueous media by fluorescence quenching effect. Tb3+@UiO-66-(COOH)2 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity, broad linear concentration range (0–200 μM), low detection limits (0.23 μM), fast response speed (within 1 min), as well as in situ naked eye observation under UV light for sensing Cu2+ ion. Furthermore, this probe was successfully employed to detect Cu2+ ion in real water with good recovery. Hence, this work developed a very excellent fluorescent sensor with high potential practical applications for detection of Cu2+ ion in environmental water samples.