A selectivity-enhanced ratiometric fluorescence imprinted sensor based on synergistic effect of covalent and non-covalent recognition units for ultrasensitive detection of ribavirin

Development of methods with high selectivity and sensitivity for detection of trace ribavirin (RBV) is of great importance for environmental protection and food safety. Herein, we proposed a simple yet valid strategy to construct the highly selective ratiometric fluorescence sensing platform (BA-LMOFs@MIP) for analysis of RBV based on boric acid-functionalized lanthanide metal-organic framework (BA-LMOFs) coupled with molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP). In this strategy, BA-LMOFs featured with dual-emission and pH-responsive behavior were first synthesized as supporter. Benefiting from boric acid group of BA-LMOFs, RBV was easily immobilized onto its surface, taking advantage of template immobilization-based surface imprinting means to fabricate BA-LMOFs@MIP with dual recognition sites for the first time. The synergistic effect of covalent boronate affinity-based recognition unit and non-covalent imprinting sites enabled BA-LMOFs@MIP to exhibit superior selectivity and binding efficiency to RBV. BA-LMOFs as signal tag endowed BA-LMOFs@MIP with desirable sensitivity, photostability and hydrophilicity. More importantly, BA-LMOFs@MIP-based sensor displayed a wide linear range for RBV from 25 to 1200 ng mL-1 with a detection limit down to 7.62 ng mL-1. The sensor was finally applied to RBV determination in real samples, and the obtained results revealed that BA-LMOFs@MIP would be a promising candidate for monitoring of RBV in complex systems.