L-histidine functionalized ZiF-8 with aggregation-induced emission for detection of tetracycline

The L-histidine functionalized zinc based metal–organic framework (His@ZiF-8) has been constructed for detection of tetracycline (TC) based on aggregation-induced emission of TC. [Display omitted] •The L-histidine functionalized ZiF-8 (His@ZiF-8) was constructed.•The abundant of carboxyl, amino group, and mesoporous structure of His@ZiF-8 can enhance the fluorescence of TC.•The His@ZiF-8 can be applied to detection of TC based on aggregation-induced emission of TC.•The His@ZiF-8 displays high sensitivity and selectivity for detection of TC. In this study, we constructed zinc based metal–organic framework functionalized by L-histidine (His@ZiF-8). The His@ZiF-8 had high porosity, large surface area, abundant carboxyl and amino group, which has been found to greatly enhance the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of tetracycline (TC). After the His@ZiF-8 enrichment with TC, the TC exhibited strong fluorescence emission peak at 565 nm based on AIE. Under the optimal conditions, the fluorescence intensity of TC exhibited a good linear relationship with TC concentration within 0.1–80 μM with a low limit of detection of 28.6 nM. Antibiotic analogs such as neomycin, chloramphenico, ampicillin, kanamycin, and erythromycin have no obvious interference. In addition, the developed method was successfully used to the detection of TC in milk, river water, and honey.