Mixed metal (cobalt/molybdenum) based metal-organic frameworks for highly sensitive and specific sensing of arsenic (V): Spectroscopic versus paper-based approaches

Abstract

As one of the most toxic contaminants, arsenic (As) is well-known for diverse types of adversary effects on the life of living beings. Unfortunately, as the conventional methods of its detection generally suffer from several demerits (e.g., long duration, high cost, and complexity), the engineering of advanced materials could be a solution for the development of next generation sensors. In an effort to validate such proposition, we developed a molybdenum based metal–organic framework (Mo-MOF) by modifying a common form of [(Mo2O6)(4,4′–bpy)]n) as a new sensing platform for As. We have successfully developed and characterized a mixed metal (Co/Mo) MOF for the specific, sensitive, and expeditious detection of As(V) metal ions. The color changing capacity (from purple to blue) of Co/Mo-MOF is found to maintain a good linear relationship with changes in the concentration of As(V) from 0.05 ppb to 1000 ppm. This Mo-based MOF sensor, when bound with spectroscoptic and paper-based methods, offered exceptionally low limits of detection (LOD) for As(V) ions such as 0.02 and 0.04 ppb, respectively.