A microporous Tb-based MOF for multifunctional detection of the α-CHC, Cu2+ and Fe3+

Here, we successfully synthesized a Tb-MOF, [Tb4(TATB)2] (H3TATB ​= ​4,4′,4″-(1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-triyl)tribenzoic acid) used 2-fluorobenzoic acid as the nuclear cluster direct agent by solvothermal conditions. As expected, the Tb-TATB produces the characteristic emission bands of Tb3+ ion and could be developed as a multifunctional sensor for the highly selective and sensitive detection of the α-CHC (α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid), Cu2+ and Fe3+. The detection limits (LOD) of the α-CHC interfering with tumor cell proliferation by inhibiting lactic acid oxidation to treat cancer is 1.96 ​μM. The LOD for Fe3+ and Cu2+ are 4.84 ​μM and 2.92 ​μM, respectively, which are comparable to that of some reported MOFs. Furthermore, the possible fluorescence quenching mechanisms in the detection process could be attributed to the competitive absorption of excitation energy and dynamic and static quenching.