Two luminescent phosphonate metal-organic framework as highly efficient and sensitive sensors for the detections of tetracycline antibiotic in aqueous system

The adverse effects of tetracycline (TC), chlortetracycline (CTC) and oxytetracyline (OTC) residues on human health and ecosystem have attracted much attention. Herein, two novel luminescent phosphonate metal-organic frameworks based on Zn and Cd were prepared by hydrothermal method, named MOF-1 (2[Zn2‧L·(H2O)2]) and MOF-2 (2[Cd(H2L)‧(H2O)2]), respectively. Two MOFs can specifically recognize three antibiotics and quench the fluorescence by the internal filter effect (IFE). In addition, in the presence of ions and other antibiotics, the MOFs still showed good selectivity and strong anti-interference performance. It is worth noting that the detection limits of MOF-2 for TC, CTC and OTC are 4.9, 1.21 and 2.17 ​nM respectively. These excellent sensing properties, together with easy preparation, good stability and feasibility, makes MOFs have high potential to detect tetracycline antibiotics in aqueous solution. [Display omitted] •Two MOFs sensors based on phosphonate ligand were prepared by hydrothermal method.•Two MOFs sensors have a wide response range and low LOD.•Two MOFs sensors has excellent anti-interference ability.