Fast and sensitive fluorescent detection of nitrite based on an amino-functionalized MOFs of UiO-66-NH2

Since excessive nitrite is a serious carcinogen to human beings, it is necessary to generate a convenient and sensitive means for its detection. Owing to this point, thus, UiO-66-NH2 had been successfully employed as a fluorescence turn-off probe for the detection of NO2− through diazotization and reduction. It could detect nitrite sensitively and selectively under acidic conditions (pH ​= ​1.0) at room temperature. The linear range of nitrite was 0–10 ​mM, the detection limit was 77 ​μM, and a short response time (120 ​s) had been displayed by UiO-66-NH2. Whilst, it could specifically recognize nitrite and would hardly be affected by other possibly coexistent interfering substances. Furthermore, quantitative analysis of three real samples also confirmed the reliability and sensitivity of this probe. All these results had shown that the detecting method of UiO-66-NH2 to nitrite was simple in operation, and mild in reaction condition. [Display omitted] •It is the first time for UiO-66-NH2 as a “turn off” fluorescent probe to detect nitrite.•UiO-66-NH2 detected nitrite for the first time which was based on diazotization and reduction reaction.•The UiO-66-NH2 exhibited significant selectivity and sensitivity to nitrite.