Smart MOF‐on‐MOF Hydrogel as a Simple Rod‐shaped Core for Visual Detection and Effective Removal of Pesticides

The immoderate use of pesticides in the modern agricultural industry has led to the pollution of water resources and ultimately threatens the human body. Herein, two metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), namely {[Zn(tpt)2 ·2H2 O]}n (Zn1) and {[Zn2 (tpt)2 (bdc)]}n (Zn2), (Htpt = 5-[4(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)]phenyl-2H-tetrazole), respectively, are constructed as smart materials for visual and on-site detection of pesticides and their removal from water. The exposed nitrogen-rich sites and high chemical stability make Zn2 a self-assembly core to further fabricate MOF-on-MOF-sodium alginate (ZIF-8-on-Zn2@SA) composite by wrapping ZIF-8 on the outside surface. Inheriting the excellent fluorescent emission of Zn2, the rod-like ZIF-8-on-Zn2@SA module exhibits naked-eye detection of thiophanate-methyl (TM) in real fruits and vegetables with a broad linear range (10-100 × 10-6 m), a low limit of detection (LOD = 0.14 × 10-6 m), and satisfactory recoveries (98.30-102.70%). In addition, carbendazim (CBZ), the metabolite of TM after usage in crops, can be efficiently removed from water by the ZIF-8-on-Zn2@SA (qmax = 161.8 mg g-1 ) with a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.99). Therefore, the portable ZIF-8-on-Zn2@SA sensing platform presents a promising candidate for monitoring and removal of pesticides, especially suitable for regions with serious pesticide environmental pollution.