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

In this work, a metal−organic framework UiO-66-(COOH) 2 has been synthesized and is further functionalized with Tb 3+ through coordination interactions. The functionalized MOF, denoted as Tb 3+ @UiO-66-(COOH) 2 , is fully characterized and further developed as an excellent fluorescent probe to monitor Cu 2+ ions in aqueous media by fluorescence quenching effect. Tb 3+ @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 Cu 2+ ion. Furthermore, this probe was successfully employed to detect Cu 2+ ion in real water with good recovery. Hence, this work developed a very excellent fluorescent sensor with high potential practical applications for detection of Cu 2+ ion in environmental water samples.