Chenghui Zeng

Dynamically responsive photonic barcodes have been achieved through a competitive FRET process within microspheres, in which the photoluminescence spectra exhibit tunable and well-resolved characteristic peaks that enable intelligent encoding.

The development of highly sensitive luminescence sensing materials has attracted much attention in recent years. In this study, a new two-dimensional porous europium metal–organic framework (EuMOF, [Eu(DHDA)₁.₅·3H₂O]_n; DHDA = 2,2-dihydroxyacetic acid) is obtained, characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), luminescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). At the best excitation at 295 nm, EuMOF shows red luminescence (CIE: 0.6255, 0.3740) and has four obvious peaks at 582, 605, 641, and 689 nm, which are due to ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₁, ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂, ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₃, and ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₄ transitions, respectively. Studies have shown that EuMOF is a stable, fast-responding, and highly sensitive luminescence sensor for isoprocarb and levofloxacin (Lvx) in aqueous solutions, apple peel and rice extract solutions, and real urine, which are closely associated with food safety and human health. The sensing behavior toward isoprocarb and Lvx may be attributed to the specific binding of the two analytes to EuMOF. The sensing of isoprocarb is a dynamic luminescence-quenching process, while that of Lvx is a dynamic luminescence-enhancing process. The limits of detection (LOD) for isoprocarb and Lvx are as low as 1.0 and 0.5 nM, respectively, which are much lower than the Chinese national standard (GB 28260-2011, 2.583 μM). EuMOF also demonstrates strong anti-interference detection of isoprocarb in apple peel and rice extract solutions, as well as Lvx in real urine, with excellent detection stability in a 0.01~9.0 nM range. The recovery rates for isoprocarb and Lvx in real samples are 99.12%~101.25%. This work provides the first bifunctional lanthanide sensor for pesticides and antibiotics.

The development of highly sensitive fluorescence sensing materials has attracted much attention in recent years. In this study, a new two-dimensional porous europium metal-organic frameworks (EuMOFs) have been obtained. Studies have shown that EuMOFs is a stable, fast response, and highly sensitive fluorescence sensor for isoprocarb and levofloxacin (Lvx), which are closely related to food safety and human health. The limits of detection (LOD) for isoprocarb and Lvx are as low as 1.0 and 0.5 nM, respectively, which were much lower than the national standards (GB 28260-2011 for isoprocarb is 2.583 μM). EuMOFs can also achieve strong anti-interference detection of isoprocarb in apple peel and rice extract solution, and Lvx in real urine, with excellent detection stability in 0.01~9.0 nM. The recovery rates for isoprocarb and Lvx in real samples are in 99.12%~101.25%.

Lanthanide-based sensors have garnered significant attention in the sensitive and selective detection of diverse analytes. In this work, lanthanide nanocluster of Tb2 is designed and obtained. Interestingly, Tb2 demonstrates fast response (15 s), high selectivity, and exceptional sensitivity toward ciprofloxacin (Cip). This work achieves limit of detection (LOD) as low as 0.07 nM, which is significantly surpass national standards. Interestingly, this work also provides reliable sensing toward Cip in tap water, lake water, pond water, and egg white samples. Furthermore, the test strip device based on Tb2 allows for on-site visual detection of CIP in real samples, offering a user-friendly and rapid sensing platform.

Norfloxacin (NOR) has raised growing concerns over food safety and environmental sustainability due to its persistence and bioaccumulation. The luminescence turn-on effect induced by NOR offers a promising approach for the development of advanced sensing platform and anticounterfeiting platform. In this work, two novel one-dimensional chain-like lanthanide coordination polymers, Tb-TCDA and Eu-TCDA, were successfully synthesized through a facile one-step hydrothermal approach. Interestingly, Tb-TCDA demonstrates a pronounced luminescence turn-on effect upon reaction with NOR, functioning as a highly selective and sensitive probe for NOR detection, with a detection limit as low as 0.03 μM and a rapid response time (<20 s). The sensing performance is maintained in complicated real-world matrices, including dairy products (milk, eggs), lake water, and tap water. Notably, portable test strips fabricated by immobilizing Tb-TCDA onto filter paper enable on-site visual identification of NOR contamination within minutes, demonstrating excellent practicality. In addition, the stimuli-responsive luminescence turn-on behavior of Tb-TCDA and Eu-TCDA supports their potential application in advanced anticounterfeiting technologies. This work provides a dual-functional platform that integrates luminescence sensing and security features, offering new opportunities for real-time antibiotic monitoring and anticounterfeiting systems.

New rare earth nano-cluster of Tb-TFBA is a highly selective sensor for Ni ²⁺ , with a short response time and low LOD. Tb-TFBA shows practical and visual sensing of Ni ²⁺ in real samples of serum, tap water, and lake water.