Enhancement of uranyl fluorescence using trimesic acid: Ligand sensitization and co-fluorescence

► Trimesic acid was shown to sensitize and enhance the fluorescence of uranium in aqueous medium. ► This ligand also exhibited co-fluorescence of uranium with Y3+. ► To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of co-fluorescence in uranium. ► The enhancement of uranium fluorescence, resulted in detection limits in the ng/mL regime.