A bifunctional 3D Tb-based metal–organic framework for sensing and removal of antibiotics in aqueous medium

Abstract

A bifunctional Tb-based metal–organic framework, namely {[Tb(TCPB)(DMF)]·dioxane·0.5H₂O}_n, has been assembled from the tripodal ligand 1,3,5-tris(4-carbonylphenyloxy)benzene (H₃TCPB) using solvothermal methods and characterized by EA, TG, IR, PXRD, etc. Structural analysis revealed that Tb-MOF is a 3D (4,8)-c net with the point symbol {4⁴·6²}₂{4⁸·6¹⁷·8³} and contains two different 1D channels, rectangular (11.115 Å × 13.231 Å) and quadrilateral (12.228 Å × 19.210 Å). The luminescence properties of Tb-MOF showed that it has high sensitivity to and exhibits selective sensing for nitrofurazone (NZF) and nitrofurantoin (NFT) in aqueous solutions. Meanwhile, owing to its typical Tb yellowish-green emission, the ground Tb-MOF powder can be used for fingerprint recognition. Furthermore, because of its pores and surface area, the adsorption capacity of Tb-MOF for NFT and NZF in water medium can reach 81.3% and 84.4% within 120 min, respectively. The title compound is the first bifunctional material for the detection and removal of antibiotics in water systems at the same time.