An yttrium-organic framework for effective iodine capture and sensing of Cr6+ ions

[Display omitted] •A novel metal–organic framework, [(BTC)Y]n (YS-1) is synthesized solvothermally.•The adsorption capacity for I2(aq) and I2(vap) was 114.56 and 142 mg/g, respectively.•YS-1 showed a high sensitivity for hazardous metal ion detection at ppm levels.•Cr6+ is detected based on the inner filter effect (IFE). For environmental protection, it is essential to effectively capture radioiodine that is produced or released as a result of nuclear fission. In this situation, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) may be effective materials to help with the challenging environmental problem. The solvothermal reaction of Yttrium metal ions (Y3+) with trimesic acid (H3BTC, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid) in H2O and ethanol in a 1:1 ratio builds a novel MOF, C9H5O7Y or [(BTC)Y]n (YS-1). According to single crystal XRD, YS-1 has a 3D framework with rare rnb topology of MOF with SBUs: C6H3, C, H2OY. The as-prepared MOF was carefully characterized, and UV–Vis spectroscopy was used to investigate its iodine adsorption in the vapor and solution phases. This revealed that the MOF had a very high adsorption capacity. YS-1 has a maximum sorption capacity of around 142 mg/g and 114.56 mg/g in the vapor and solution phases, respectively. Iodine binds to MOF in the forms of I2 and I3− species, according to Raman spectra. It is interesting to note that the YS-1 has the highest fluorescence potential and is the most sensitive to Cr6+ ions in a liquid medium. As a result, the current MOF functions as a promising material for greater iodine uptake as well as Cr6+ ions sensing.