Highly Water-Stable 2D MOF as Dual Sensor for the Ultra-Sensitive Aqueous Phase Detection of Nitrofuran Antibiotics and Organochlorine Pesticides

Abstract

Misuse of antibiotics and pesticides has led to hazardous effects on human health, livestock, agriculture, and aquaculture, which urges researchers to find simple, rapid, efficient, and cost-effective methods for quick on-site analysis of these organic pollutants with functional materials. Herein, a 2D chemically robust MOF: IITKGP-71, {[Cd(MBPz)(2,6-NDC)]·2H₂O}_n is strategically developed with ease in scalability and exploited as dual sensors toward the toxic antibiotic and pesticide detection via luminescence quenching in aqueous medium. The framework displays exceptional chemical robustness in water for 3 months, in an open atmosphere over 2 months, and wide range of aqueous pH solution (pH = 3–12) for a day. IITKGP-71 can selectively quench the nitrofuran antibiotics (NFZ and NFT) and organochlorine pesticide DCN while remaining unaffected by other interfering antibiotics and pesticides, respectively. An excellent trade-off between high effectivity (high K_sv) and high sensitivity (low LOD) was achieved for the targeted analytes. The easy scalability, high chemical stability, fast responsivity, multi-responsive nature, recyclability with outstanding structural stability made this framework viable in playing a crucial role in safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and public health from the hazardous effects of antibiotics and pesticides.