Chlorin based metal-organic frameworks for highly selective and sensitive detection of phosphate

Abstract

High performance of sensing phosphate is of great significance to the eco-environment and biological systems. In this study, a new chlorin-based metal-organic frameworks (TCPC-Zr) constructed by 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)chlorin ligand and zirconium clusters was successfully synthesized and employed as a highly selective and sensitive fluorescent probe targeting phosphate. TCPC-Zr shows a linear range of phosphate concentration (0.5–10 μM) with an outstanding limit of detection (12 nM) compared to other fluorescent probes. Additionally, satisfied spiked recoveries (>94.42%) in soybean milk powder and lake water support that the probe is competent to detect phosphate in real samples. In this regard, TCPC-Zr is an excellent fluorescent sensor with great potential application in detecting phosphate.