Mechanism, design and application of fluorescent recognition based on metal organic frameworks in pollutant detection

• LMOFs used for environmental pollutant detection are classified. • The applications of LMOFs in environmental pollution detection are summarized. • The challenges and opportunities of using LMOFs based sensors are prospected. • Sensitive LMOFs based fluorescent sensors are the most promising detection devices. Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) are multi-dimensional coordination polymer materials composed of semi filled d/f-block metal ions and monodentate/polydentate organic ligands. Due to unique luminescence characteristics, flexible structure, high porosity and controllable synthesis, luminescent metal organic frameworks (LMOFs) have been applied in various fields. In this review, we analyze the relationship between detection mechanism and signal emission according to the structural characteristics of LMOFs, discuss the reasons for sensitivity to specific pollutants, and propose various strategies for the construction and synthesis of LMOFs. We also systematically summarize a report on the latest research progress in the use of LMOFs for fluorescent sensors to distinguish different types of pollutants, including antibiotics, nitro compounds, small molecules, metal cations, inorganic anions. Finally, we look forward to the challenges of using LMOFs to detect environmental pollutants and the future development direction of this field.