Optical metal-organic framework sensor for selective discrimination of some toxic metal ions in water

• A novel UiO-66 sensor was developed for detection and discrimination of a wide range of heavy metal ions in water.
• The optical sensor demonstrates extraordinary sensitivity, selectivity, reusability, and fast kinetic detection and quantification of Bi(III), Pb(II), Zn(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II) ions.
• The UiO-66 sensor can be also used for environmental cleanup and complete removal of heavy metals from water.

This paper reports the development of a facile and effective approach, based on the use of Zr-based metal-organic frameworks (UiO-66) sensor with micropores geometry, shape and particle morphology for the visual detection and removal of ultra-traces of some toxic metal ions such as Bi(III), Zn(II), Pb(II), Hg(II) and Cd(II). UiO-66 was used as selective carriers for accommodating hydrophobic chromophore probes such as dithizone (DZ) without coupling agent for sensitive and selective discrimination of trace level of toxic analytes. The developed UiO-66 sensor was utilized for the detection of ultra-traces of some toxic metal ions with the naked eye. The new sensor displays high sensitivity and selectivity of a wide range of detectable metals analytes up to 10−10 mol dm−3 in solution, in a rapid analyte uptake response (seconds). The developed sensor is stable, cost effective, easy to prepare, and would be useful for rapid detection and removal of ultra-traces of toxic metal ions in water samples.

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