Fluorescence detection of phosphate in an aqueous environment by an aluminum-based metal-organic framework with amido functionalized ligands

Highlights

● A novel Al-MOF was successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method.

● Al-MOF showed superior performance for phosphate detection.

● High selectivity and anti-interference for detection were demonstrated.

● The high coordination between Al-O and PO₄³⁻ was the key in fluorescence sensing.

Abstract

The on-site monitoring of phosphate is important for environmental management. Conventional phosphate detection methods are not appropriate to on-site monitoring owing to the use of complicated detection procedures, and the consequent high cost and maintenance requirements of the detection apparatus. Here, a highly sensitive fluorescence-based method for phosphate detection with a wide detection range was developed based on a luminescent aluminum-based metal-organic framework (Al-MOF). The Al-MOF was prepared by introducing amine functional groups to conventional MIL to enhance phosphate binding, and exhibited excellent fluorescence properties that originated from the ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT). The detection limit was as low as 3.25 μmol/L (0.10 mg/L) and the detection range was as wide as 3–350 μmol/L (0.10–10.85 mg/L). Moreover, Al-MOF displayed specific recognition toward phosphate over most anions and metal cations, even for a high concentration of the co-existent ions. The mechanism of phosphate detection was analyzed through the characterization of the combination of Al-MOF and phosphate, and the results indicated the high affinity between Al-O and phosphate inhibited that the LMCT process and recovered the intrinsic fluorescence of NH₂-H₂BDC. The recovery of the developed detection method reached a satisfactory range of 85.1%–111.0%, and the feasibility of on-site phosphate detection was verified using a prototype sensor for tap water and lake water samples. It was demonstrated that the prepared Al-MOF is highly promising for on-site detection of phosphate in an aqueous environment.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Fluorescence / Metal-organic framework / Phosphate / Detection / Al-MOF

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Acknowledgements

This work is supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2021YFC3200604), the Oceanic Interdisciplinary Program of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (No. SL2020MS014).

Electronic Supplementary Material

Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-022-1594-8 and is accessible for authorized users.

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