Amino-functionalized MIL-101(Fe) metal-organic framework as a viable fluorescent probe for nitroaromatic compounds

A highly luminescent iron(III)-based amino-functionalized metal-organic framework (MOF) of type NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) was synthesized by a solvothermal method. Its structure and morphology were studied by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and FTIR. The strong fluorescence of the electron-rich MOF is shown to be quenched by electron-deficient nitroaromatic compounds. Compared to solvents such as water and other organic solvents, quenching by the nitroaromatic compounds nitrobenzene (NB), 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 4-nitrotoluene (4-NT) and 1,3-dinitrobenzene (1,3-DNB) is particularly strong. The detection limits for NB, 4-NP, 4-NT and 1,3-DNB are 32 ppm, 17 ppm, 9.8 ppm and 11.5 ppm. .