Carbon dots-embedded zinc-based metal-organic framework as an efficient fluorescent sensor for the detection of ferric and phosphate ions

Carbon dots were prepared from urea and sodium citrate using a microwave method which was combined with zinc nitrate and dimethylimidazole to prepare CDs@ZIF-8 composites using a one-pot method. It was used to develop a novel fluorescent sensor for the rapid and effective detection of Fe3+. Owing to intense contacts and electron transfer between CDs@ZIF-8 and Fe3+, the fluorescence was severely diminished. The burst fluorescence of the Fe3+ system was restored considerably due to a higher binding preference between Fe3+ and PO43-. Furthermore, the detection limit for Fe3+ was 5.2 μM. Our construction of a fluorescent sensor provides a simple and rapid platform for detecting Fe3+ and PO43- in human health and biodiversity. [Display omitted] •Using urea and sodium citrate, a type of carbon dot was created using the microwave.•Carbon dots complex with ZIF-based MOFs to form CDs@ZIF-8, which inhibits the ACQ effect of CDs.•Fe3+ bursts the luminous intensity of CDs@ZIF-8, and this system provided a detection limit of 5.2 μM for Fe3+.•A novel, sensitive fluorescence sensor has been developed for the detection of Fe3+ and PO43-.