High-efficiency detection of phenylamine biomarker based on a stable terbium metal-organic framework

Phenylamine was listed as a carcinogen. Nevertheless, the detection of phenylamine in humans is complicated and challenging. In this work, a stable Tb-MOF {[Tb(L)(NMP)2].2NMP}(n) (1-Tb) was synthesized by solvothermal method based on 3,5-bis((3'-carboxyphenyl)oxy)-benzoic acid (H3L) and Tb(III) ion. 1-Tb possesses the ability to quantitatively detect p-aminophenol (PAP) in human urine, and its limit of detection (LOD) is 8.69 x 10(-4) ppm, which is lower than most reported MOFs. Furthermore, the fluorescence quenching mechanism is dynamic quenching and FRET (fluorescence resonance energy transfer) via experiments and theoretical computations in depth. 1-Tb exhibits excellent selectivity, high sensitivity, and outstanding stability. Hence, 1-Tb is anticipated to be a potential candidate material for a fluorescence sensor in the biological field.