The development of probes with sensitive and prompt detection
of
volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is of great importance for protecting
human health and public security. Herein, we successfully prepared
a series of bimetallic lanthanide metal–organic framework (Eu/Zr-UiO-66)
by incorporating Eu3+ for fluorescence sensing of VOCs
(especially styrene and cyclohexanone) using a one-pot method. Based
on the multiple fluorescence signal responses of Eu/Zr-UiO-66 toward
styrene and cyclohexanone, a ratiometric fluorescence probe using
(I
617/I
320) and (I
617/I
330) as output signals was developed to recognize styrene and cyclohexanone,
respectively. Benefitting from the multiple fluorescence response,
the limits of detection (LODs) of Eu/Zr–UiO-66 (1:9) for styrene
and cyclohexanone were 1.5 and 2.5 ppm, respectively. These are among
the lowest reported levels for MOF-based sensors, and this is the
first known material for fluorescence sensing of cyclohexanone. Fluorescence
quenching by styrene was mainly owing to the large electronegativity
of styrene and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). However,
FRET was accounted for fluorescence quenching by cyclohexanone. Moreover,
Eu/Zr–UiO-66 (1:9) exhibited good anti-interference ability
and recycling performance for styrene and cyclohexanone. More importantly,
the visual recognition of styrene and EB vapor can be directly realized
with the naked eyes using Eu/Zr–UiO-66 (1:9) test strips. This
strategy provides a sensitive, selective, and reliable method for
the visual sensing of styrene and cyclohexanone.