Anthracene-based lanthanide coordination polymer for the sensitive detection of 2-thiazolidinethione-4-carboxylic acid and temperature

An anthracene-based rare earth coordination polymer (CP) [Tb2Cl2(adip)(NMP)3(H2O)] (1) was prepared by solvothermal assembling of Tb3+ and 5,5′-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)diisophthalic acid (H4adip, NMP = N-methylpyrrolidone) and possesses a 3D framework and ligand-based blue emission. 1 could be used as a fluorescent probe to detect 2-thiazolidinethione-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) and temperature with excellent selectivity, sensitivity and anti-interference ability. Between 0 and 10 μM concentration range of TTCA, the fluorescence quenching constant (Ksv) of 1 reaches 9.78 × 104 M−1 with the limit of detection of 92.6 nM. 1 could also be used as a temperature sensor within 0–60 °C. The maximum relative sensitivity (Sr) was calculated as 5.74% °C−1 at 60 °C and the temperature resolution (δT) is 0.013–0.003 °C corresponding to the above ambient temperature range. The sensitivities of 1 have reached the best level of reported chemical sensors so far. In addition, the mechanisms of fluorescence quenching were studied. [Display omitted] •A complex 1 based on 5,5′-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)diisophthalic acid was obtained.•1 shows good sensitivity to 2-thiazolidinethione-4-carboxylic acid (TTCA) and temperature.•The limit of detection (LOD) for TTCA is 92.6 nM.•The maximum relative sensitivity (Sr) for temperature is calculated as 5.74% °C−1.