Zn-MOF@rGO nanocomposite: a versatile tool for highly selective and sensitive detection of Pb2+ and Cu2+ ions in water†

In this work, a hybrid nanocomposite material (PUC2@rGO) was prepared by integrating our previously developed Zn-MOF (PUC2) with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) through the wet impregnation method. The characterization of PUC2@rGO was performed using various analytical techniques, including FTIR, PXRD, FE-SEM, HR-TEM, XPS, zeta potential, and time-resolved FL spectroscopy. Our investigation primarily focused on assessing the composite's capability to detect water pollutants. Notably, PUC2@rGO demonstrated remarkable selectivity and sensitivity towards Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions via fluorescence quenching, exhibiting low detection limits and high quenching constant values. Spectroscopic analysis revealed that electron transfer from PUC2@rGO (donor) to the metal ions (acceptor) resulted in the observed quenching effect induced by Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. Time-resolved fluorescence studies of PUC2@rGO before and after adding Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions confirmed dynamic quenching, further affirming strong interactions between PUC2@rGO and the targeted metal ions. These findings highlight PUC2@rGO's potential for efficiently detecting heavy metal pollutants in water.