Metal-organic frameworks as sensitisers for potentiometric sensors

As an example for a metal-organic framework (MOF) sorbent acting as sensitiser in a potentiometric sensor, we introduce the metal-organic framework (MOF) UiO-66-NH2 into a bridged extended-gate field effect transistor (EGFET) design. The sensitised EGFET detects residue of the insecticide imidacloprid with a limit of detection more than 3 orders of magnitude smaller than the EU 'Maximum Residue Limit' (MRL) for imidacloprid. This allows decisions on MRL compliance of water at a much lower experimental footprint than with chromatographic methods. To apply the sensor to food samples, we account for possible interference from legitimate food ingredients. Interference is small or moderate for fruit juices, moderate for 'red' juice (containing anthocyanin dyes), and small for others. Interference is strong for tea, probably from caffeine. We propose a test protocol to make 'accept/reject' decisions with respect to imidacloprid residue even in the presence of small or moderate interference. The present agar-bridged EGFET design enables the wider use of MOF sorbents in potentiometric sensors.