Development of a novel ternary MOF nanozyme-based smartphone-integrated colorimetric and microfluidic paper-based analytical device for trace glyphosate detection

Given the significant and potential fatal implications of glyphosate (GLY) residues on human health and the integrity of ecosystems, their presence has garnered substantial global concern and scrutiny. Herein, we introduced a pioneering colorimetric sensing platform, the first of its kind, based on ternary metal-organic frameworks (ZnCo-ZIFs@MIL-101(Fe)). This innovative platform enabled ultra-sensitive, affordable, portable and rapid on-site detection of GLY. This platform achieved a wider linear range for GLY of 0.02–40 μg/mL with an exhibiting remarkable detection limit of 1 ng/mL, which was attributed to the electronic hybridization of the Fe 3+ , Co 2+ , and Zn 2+ metal centers of ZnCo-ZIFs@MIL-101(Fe), significantly enhancing the composite's catalytic performance. The assay was successfully employed to detect GLY in food and herb samples. Moreover, to meet the demand of in-field detection for GLY, a smartphone detection method based on ZnCo-ZIFs@MIL-101(Fe) with visual, intelligent, and portable features was fabricated. This detection concentration range of GLY was 0–1 μg/mL, and the limit of smartphone detection was 23 ng/mL. Furthermore, this sensor seamlessly integrated with smartphones and paper-based microfluidic chips (μPADs), which constructed a portable test strips-smartphone sensing platform for facilitating real-time and on-site visual quantitative detection of GLY. The detection concentration range was 0–1 μg/mL, and the limit was calculated as low as 75 ng/mL. The assay was highly adaptable in practical applications. In summary, our study paved a novel pathway for the design and utilization of multi-metal MOF nanozymes in on-site pesticide monitoring.