Luminescence Detection of Cr3+, Bi3+, and Acetone in Aqueous Solution by Core-Shell Tb-MOF

Aims: By using terephthalic acid, 2, 5-furandicarboxylic acid, and terbium nitrate hexahydrate, a Tb-MOF with a core-shell structure was successfully designed and prepared. Method: A one-pot method was employed to design and synthesize core-shell Tb-MOF. The morphology, luminescence performance, and stability were well characterized. Results: Tb-MOF demonstrated good water stability, acid and alkali resistance, and thermal stability. Tb-MOF was found to have high sensitivity to detect Cr3+, Bi3+, and acetone in an aqueous solution, and the LOD of Cr3+, Bi3+, and acetone were calculated to be 0.18 μM, 4.22 μM, and 0.26%, respectively. The sensing mechanism of Cr3+ and acetone was explained as energy-competitive absorption, and the sensing mechanism of Bi3+ was explained as ion replacement. Conclusion: The prepared Tb-MOF can be developed as a multifunctional light-emitting sensor with high selectivity.