Novel “Turn-On” Fluorescent Probe for Highly Selectively Sensing Fluoride in Aqueous Solution Based on Tb(3+)-Functionalized Metal–Organic Frameworks

[Image: see text] A Zr-based metal–organic framework (Zr-MOF) which has free carbonyl groups is synthesized successfully through mix-ligand strategy. Subsequently, Tb(3+) is encapsulated into a Zr-MOF by postcoordinated modification. The Tb(3+)@Zr-MOF exhibits the characteristic emission of Tb(3+) because of efficient sensitization through antenna effects. The Tb(3+)@Zr-MOF is further developed as a novel “turn-on” fluorescent probe to detect fluoride ions in aqueous solution. The results show that Tb(3+)@Zr-MOF exhibits excellent selectivity, high stability, low detection limits, and good anti-interference for sensitizing fluoride ions. In addition, the possible sensing mechanism that the induced luminescence properties may be attributed to Lewis acid–base interactions is discussed.