MOF-based probes for total content detection of Ca2+/Sr2+----Regulating detection performance indicators of probes via "paramagnetic/diamagnetic heterometallic probes" strategy

Abstract

Probes based on luminescence metal–organic frameworks (LMOFs) have been extensively investigated. Although many of the probes can detect multiple analytes individually, it has not been reported that the probes can detect the total content of multiple analytes simultaneously. Herein a series of isostructural MOFs ([MgxMn1-x(L1)(DMSO)2]) were constructed via a strategy utilizing paramagnetic/diamagnetic heterometallic probes, which can be used for detecting Ca2+/Sr2+ individually or simultaneously without discrimination through a structural transformation mechanism. In-depth investigations reveal that probes involving such mechanism possess distinct advantages in total content detection, and one noteworthy characteristic of the probes is they exhibit similar working curves for different detectable analytes. By adjusting the ratio of paramagnetic/diamagnetic metal ions in the probes, their detection performance indicators can be precisely regulated. This work not only develops a new strategy for the customization of probe with specific performance indicators, but also opens up fresh opportunities to construct probes for total content detection.