Ln(III)-Functionalized Metal–Organic Frameworks Hybrid System: Luminescence Properties and Sensor for trans,trans-Muconic Acid as a Biomarker of Benzene

By application of a straightforward postsynthetic modification strategy, a luminescent lanthanide-based MOFs hybrid material, Tb(III)@MOF-SO₃^-, is first fabricated by loading Tb(III) ions into the pores of Zn-based MOF-SO₃^-. This hybrid system is constructed on notable and specific luminous sensitization of MOF-SO₃^- to Tb(III) ions. The further study shows that bi-metal-loaded Eu(III)/Tb(III)@MOF-SO₃^- exhibits a Tb(III)-induced luminescence of Eu(III) ions, and the emissions of it all fall in the white region by altering the ratio of Eu(III)/Tb(III) ions and the excitation wavelengths. A kind of white-lighting thin film based on Eu(III)/Tb(III)@MOF-SO₃^- exhibits dazzling white light when excited at 295 nm ( X = 0.338, Y = 0.323). Furthermore, the Tb(III)@MOF-SO₃^- is first developed as a fluorescence sensor specifically toward biomarker of benzene, trans, trans-muconic acid ( tt-MA), based on fluorescence quenching. This reusable sensor with high water tolerance and photostability displays excellent selectivity and sensitivity with a detection limit as low as 0.1 ppm, while being provided with the high antijamming of other urinary chemicals. These results make the sensor has the potential for the practical detection of tt-MA in a urine system. The possible quenching mechanisms are also investigated in detail.