A robust cluster-based Eu-MOF as multi-functional fluorescence sensor for detection of antibiotics and pesticides in water

A robust cluster-based Eu-MOF has been created by a tetrazolyl-carboxyl linker, which shows great chemical and thermal stability and multiple functions of fluorescent sensor for the detection of antibiotics (MDZ, DMZ) and pesticides (DCN). [Display omitted] •A robust cluster-based Eu-MOF as a fluorescence probe.•Resistance to water, organic solvents and wide pH value range.•Selective detection of MDZ, DMZ and DCN with low detection limit, rapid response.•Detected MDZ and DMZ in calf serum and sensed DCN in lake water.•Combining experiments and calculations to study the sensing mechanism. As a hot issue of global concern, the abuse of organic pollutants, including pesticides and antibiotics poses a great threat to the human health and ecological environment. Effective and accurate detection of these species is of profound significance in many fields. In this work, a novel 3D metal-organic framework (MOF) [Eu2(dtztp)(OH)2(DMF)(H2O)2.5]·2H2O (1) was solvothermally synthesized. 1 is a three-dimensional framework based on tetranuclear [Eu4(μ3-OH)4(μ2-OH2)]8+ clusters, and reveals the great chemical stability and excellent tolerance in water and organic solvents. The MOF also shows strong fluorescence that was undisturbed by the pH in aqueous water (pH = 3–12). Importantly, 1 can quickly detect metronidazole (MDZ) and dimetridazole (DMZ) antibiotics as well as 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline (DCN) pesticide in water with good recyclability and low detection limit. MDZ, DMZ and DCN were also successfully detected in calf serum and lake water, respectively. The mechanism of fluorescence quenching was disclosed through the combination of experiments and density functional theory calculations.