Effective Detection of Mycotoxins by a Highly Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework

We designed and synthesized a new luminescent metal–organic framework (LMOF). LMOF-241 is highly porous and emits strong blue light with high efficiency. We demonstrate for the first time that very fast and extremely sensitive optical detection can be achieved, making use of the fluorescence quenching of an LMOF material. The compound is responsive to Aflatoxin B1 at parts per billion level, which makes it the best performing luminescence-based chemical sensor to date. We studied the electronic properties of LMOF-241 and selected mycotoxins, as well as the extent of mycotoxin–LMOF interactions, employing theoretical methods. Possible electron and energy transfer mechanisms are discussed.

本研究设计并合成了一种新型发光金属有机框架（luminescent metal–organic framework，LMOF）。所制备的LMOF-241具备高孔隙率，且可高效发射出明亮蓝光。本研究首次证实，借助LMOF材料的荧光猝灭效应，可实现超快速且超高灵敏度的光学检测。该材料对十亿分之一浓度级别的黄曲霉毒素B1具有响应特性，使其成为目前性能最优的发光型化学传感器。本研究采用理论计算方法，探究了LMOF-241与选定霉菌毒素的电子性质，以及二者之间的相互作用强度，并对可能存在的电子与能量转移机制展开了讨论。