Rational design of mixed-ligand metal–organic framework with dual emission signals for real-time visual detection and efficient adsorption of glyphosate in water

Glyphosate residues have raised significant concerns owing to their detrimental effects on public health and ecosystems. The development of adsorbents capable of simultaneous visual detection and removal of glyphosate remains challenging. In this study, a fluorescent zirconium-based metal-organic framework (BDC/TCPP-MOF) with dual emission signals was synthesized through a mixed-ligand strategy. The BDC/TCPP-MOF demonstrated remarkable selectivity and sensitivity for ratiometric fluorescence detection of glyphosate, achieving a limit of detection as low as 70 nmol/L (11.8 μg/L). Notably, the BDC/TCPP-MOF-based fluorescence sensor exhibited a distinct color transition from pink to blue during glyphosate detection. Furthermore, a portable hydrogel-based detection platform integrated with smartphone was developed, enabling rapid, real-time quantitative detection of glyphosate across a wide concentration range. The BDC/TCPP-MOF also demonstrated excellent glyphosate adsorption capacity (up to 116.85 mg/g) from water. Extensive characterisations demonstrate that visual recognition and efficient adsorption are primarily attributed to glyphosate-Zr-OH interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic interactions. This study not only provides valuable insights for the design of multifunctional MOF materials but also establishes a novel dual-functional material for visual detection and adsorption of glyphosate in water, demonstrating substantial potential for environmental pollution monitoring applications.