A fluorescent nanoprobe for 4-ethylguaiacol based on the use of a molecularly imprinted polymer doped with a covalent organic framework grafted onto carbon nanodots

Effective extraction and determination of 24 quinolones in water and egg samples using a novel magnetic covalent organic framework combined with UPLC-MS/MS

The excessive use of quinolones (QNs) has seriously threatened human health. In this study, a novel functionalized magnetic covalent organic framework Fe3O4@SiO2@Ah-COF was fabricated with biphenyl-3,3',5,5'-tetracarbaldehyde and hydrazine hydrate (85%) as monomers and was used as a magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) absorbent for the determination of 24 QNs in water and egg samples through ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). The extraction parameters of MSPE were optimized, including pH, adsorbent dosage, adsorption time, and eluent type. An effective and rapid detection method was then established, which showed good linearity (R2 ≥ 0.9990), low limits of detection (0.003-0.036 μg L-1) and low limits of quantitation (0.008-0.110 μg L-1) for QNs. The good recoveries of 24 QNs in water and egg samples were in the range of 70.3-106.1% and 70.4-119.7%, respectively, with relative standard deviations lower than 10% (n = 5). As a result, Fe3O4@SiO2@Ah-COF is a promising magnetic adsorbent, and the established method was successfully applied for the determination of 24 QNs in water and egg samples.

Recent progress in the synthesis and applications of covalent organic framework-based composites

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have historically been of interest to researchers in different areas due to their distinctive characteristics, including well-ordered pores, large specific surface area, and structural tunability. In the past few years, as COF synthesis techniques developed, COF-based composites fabricated by integrating COFs and other functional materials including various kinds of metal or metal oxide nanoparticles, ionic liquids, metal-organic frameworks, silica, polymers, enzymes and carbon nanomaterials have emerged as a novel kind of porous hybrid material. Herein, we first provide a thorough summary of advanced strategies for preparing COF-based composites; then, the emerging applications of COF-based composites in diverse fields due to their synergistic effects are systematically highlighted, including analytical chemistry (sensing, extraction, membrane separation, and chromatographic separation) and catalysis. Finally, the current challenges associated with future perspectives of COF-based composites are also briefly discussed to inspire the advancement of more COF-based composites with excellent properties.

Molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor based on metal-covalent organic framework for specifically recognizing norfloxacin from unpretreated milk

Here, a molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensor (MIECS) was designed and fabricated for specifically monitoring norfloxacin (NFX), an entirely synthetic antibiotic. In which, Cu2+ dopped covalent organic framework (COF) was used to connect NFX imprinting layer and glassy carbon electrode through covalence. Under optimized conditions, the linear range is as wide as 5 orders of magnitude, and the detection limit is 5.94 × 10-3 μM (estimated based on S/N = 3). Average recoveries are among 92.4%-99.0% with relative standard deviations ≤ 4.05% (n = 3) in (spiked) whole, low-fat, and skimmed milk, validated by independent HPLC assays. The excellent performance can be ascribed to the significant recognition and enriching ability of the imprinting layer, improved conductivity of Cu2+ dopped covalent organic framework, and high stability of covalence between layers. We hope the work will act as a model of MIECSs for rapidly and selectively detecting trace drug residue in complex real samples.

Lanthanide Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks Hybrid Materials for Luminescence Responsive Chemical Sensing

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) possess several unique features of structural and functional chemistry, together with other modular photophysical performance, which make them candidates for luminescence responsive chemical sensing. Lanthanide (Ln3+ ) functionalized COFs hybrid materials still keep the parent COFs' virtues and also embody the abundant multiple luminescence response with both COFs and Ln3+ ions or other guest species. In this review, the summary is highlighted on the lanthanide functionalized COFs hybrid materials and their relevant systems for luminescence responsive chemical sensing. It is subdivided into five sections involving the three main topics. Firstly, the basic knowledges of COFs materials related to the luminescence responsive chemical sensing are introduced (including three sections), involving the chemistry, application and post-synthetic modification (PSM) of COFs, the luminescence and luminescence responsive chemical sensing, and the luminescence responsive chemical sensing of non-lanthanide functionalized COFs hybrids materials. Secondly, the systematic progresses are outlined on the lanthanide functionalized COFs hybrid materials in luminescence responsive chemical sensing, which is the emphasis for this review. Finally, the conclusion and prospect are given.

Template Imprinting Versus Porogen Imprinting of Small Molecules: A Review of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Gas Sensing

The selective sensing of gaseous target molecules is a challenge to analytical chemistry. Selectivity may be achieved in liquids by several different methods, but many of these are not suitable for gas-phase analysis. In this review, we will focus on molecular imprinting and its application in selective binding of volatile organic compounds and atmospheric pollutants in the gas phase. The vast majority of indexed publications describing molecularly imprinted polymers for gas sensors and vapour monitors have been analysed and categorised. Specific attention was then given to sensitivity, selectivity, and the challenges of imprinting these small volatile compounds. A distinction was made between porogen (solvent) imprinting and template imprinting for the discussion of different synthetic techniques, and the suitability of each to different applications. We conclude that porogen imprinting, synthesis in an excess of template, has great potential in gas capture technology and possibly in tandem with more typical template imprinting, but that the latter generally remains preferable for selective and sensitive detection of gaseous molecules. More generally, it is concluded that gas-phase applications of MIPs are an established science, capable of great selectivity and parts-per-trillion sensitivity. Improvements in the fields are likely to emerge by deviating from standards developed for MIP in liquids, but original methodologies generating exceptional results are already present in the literature.

Covalent Organic Frameworks for Chemical and Biological Sensing

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are a class of crystalline porous organic polymers with polygonal porosity and highly ordered structures. The most prominent feature of the COFs is their excellent crystallinity and highly ordered modifiable one-dimensional pores. Since the first report of them in 2005, COFs with various structures were successfully synthesized and their applications in a wide range of fields including gas storage, pollution removal, catalysis, and optoelectronics explored. In the meantime, COFs also exhibited good performance in chemical and biological sensing, because their highly ordered modifiable pores allowed the selective adsorption of the analytes, and the interaction between the analytes and the COFs’ skeletons may lead to a detectable change in the optical or electrical properties of the COFs. In this review, we firstly demonstrate the basic principles of COFs-based chemical and biological sensing, then briefly summarize the applications of COFs in sensing some substances of practical value, including some gases, ions, organic compounds, and biomolecules. Finally, we discuss the trends and the challenges of COFs-based chemical and biological sensing.

共价有机框架分子印迹聚合物复合材料的制备及其用于牛奶中痕量诺氟沙星的选择性富集

诺氟沙星(NFX)作为一种常见的喹诺酮类兽药,被广泛应用于畜牧业中,但其会残留在动物体内,进而对人体健康造成危害,为此有许多国家和组织均对NFX残留量进行了严格限制。为实现对复杂体系中痕量NFX残留的准确与可靠分析,该文制备了一种以共价有机框架(COFs)为载体的分子印迹聚合物(MIPs)。首先,在室温条件下,以金属三氟酸盐为催化剂,对苯二甲醛和3,3'-二氨基联苯为原料快速合成了“席夫碱”型共价有机框架(DP-COF)。然后将NFX、甲基丙烯酸、乙二醇二甲基丙烯酸酯与DP-COF混合,利用偶氮二异丁腈引发聚合反应,即可得到DP-COF@MIPs。整个制备过程条件温和,耗时仅5 h。采用场发射扫描电镜、傅里叶红外光谱、X射线衍射仪、BET比表面积测试仪等对其进行了表征。结果证实成功制备出了DP-COF@MIPs,该材料表面粗糙,拥有介孔范围的孔径(17.79 nm)。通过吸附实验、重复使用性实验对材料性能进行评估,结果表明该材料表观吸附容量高达41.57 mg/g,对NFX具有良好的特异性和选择性识别能力,且重复使用率令人满意。结合HPLC-UV-Vis,实现对牛奶样品中痕量NFX的检测。在3个加标水平下(0.03、0.1、0.3 mg/L),平均回收率为88.8%~92.9%,相对标准偏差小于1.7%。结果表明,该方法可以实现在复杂基质中对兽药残留高选择性、高灵敏度及准确性的检测。

Covalent organic frameworks as multifunctional materials for chemical detection

Sensitive and selective detection of chemical and biological analytes is critical in various scientific and technological fields. As an emerging class of multifunctional materials, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with their unique properties of chemical modularity, large surface area, high stability, low density, and tunable pore sizes and functionalities, which together define their programmable properties, show promise in advancing chemical detection. This review demonstrates the recent progress in chemical detection where COFs constitute an integral component of the achieved function. This review highlights how the unique properties of COFs can be harnessed to develop different types of chemical detection systems based on the principles of chromism, luminescence, electrical transduction, chromatography, spectrometry, and others to achieve highly sensitive and selective detection of various analytes, ranging from gases, volatiles, ions, to biomolecules. The key parameters of detection performance for target analytes are summarized, compared, and analyzed from the perspective of the detection mechanism and structure-property-performance correlations of COFs. Conclusions summarize the current accomplishments and analyze the challenges and limitations that exist for chemical detection under different mechanisms. Perspectives on how future directions of research can advance the COF-based chemical detection through innovation in novel COF design and synthesis, progress in device fabrication, and exploration of novel modes of detection are also discussed.

An ionic liquid-assisted quantum dot-grafted covalent organic framework-based multi-dimensional sensing array for discrimination of insecticides using principal component analysis and clustered heat map

A robust multi-dimensional sensing array based on VBimBF₄B/MAA-anchored quantum dot (QD)-grafted covalent organic frameworks (COFs) [(V-M)/QD-grafted COFs] was established via one-pot strategy. The multi-dimensional sensing array has the outstanding advantages of physicochemical and thermal stability, large specific surface area, and regular pore structures. The assistance of ionic liquid VBimBF₄B enhanced the transduction efficiency, and the synergistic effect of COFs enhanced detection efficiency. The improved multi-dimensional sensing array by COFs and ionic liquid VBimBF₄B served to identify seven insecticides by non-specific interactions via hydrogen bonding, and the differences in the kinetics of the binding to the insecticides resulted in variation of the three-output channel (fluorescence, phosphorescence, and light scattering) signals, thus generating a distinct optical fingerprint. The unique fingerprint patterns of seven kinds of common insecticides at 200 μg L^-1 were successfully discriminated using principal component analysis and clustered heat map analysis. The multi-dimensional sensing array showed a response to seven insecticides based on three spectral channels over the range of 0.001-0.4 μg mL^-1 with a limit of detection of 1.08-18.68 μg L^-1. The spiked recovery of tap water was 79.86-134.22%, with RSD ranging from 0.89-14.9%. This study broadens the applications of sensing arrays technology and provides a promising building block for insecticide determination.

Diltiazem-imprinted porphyrinic covalent organic frameworks as solid-phase extractants and fluorescent sensors

Diltiazem, which is a calcium channel blocker, is involved in the formation of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) through the Schiff base reaction of tetrakis (4-aminophenyl)-porphine (TAPP) and dihydroxynaphthalene-dicarbaldehyde (DHNDC) and the next enol-to-keto tautomerization. The diltiazem-imprinted COFs (DICOFs) were optimally formed using Sc(OTf)₃ as the catalyst, TAPP/DHNDC/diltiazem in a molar ratio of 2/3/4, N-methylpyrrolidone/mesitylene (v/v = 3/5) as the porogen, and a 1-h reaction with a high imprinting factor of 10.5 compared to the nonimprinted counterparts (NICOFs). The optimized DICOF exhibited a more amorphous XRD pattern, a larger surface area (1650 vs. 930 m²/g), a larger pore volume (1.33 vs. 0.75 cm³/g), and a finer porous SEM feature than NICOF. The selectivity of NICOF toward diltiazem and diazepam at 250 nM (α = 1.03, RSD = 1.3%) was smaller than the selectivity of DICOF (α = 2.94, RSD = 1.6%). The diltiazem samples (5.0-300 ng mL^-1) dynamically quenched the fluorescence of 15 μg/mL DICOF in 50 mM phosphate buffer at pH 6.5 at 8.0 min equilibrium; thus, Stern-Volmer plots were linearly constructed for sensing diltiazem with an LOD of 3.4 ng mL^-1 and an LOQ of 10.2 ng mL^-1. According to the plots, 30 ng mL^-1 diltiazem solutions that were diluted from 30 mg-specified tablets had an average measured concentration of 29.5 ng mL^-1 (σ = 1.3% and n = 5). In addition to application as fluorescent sensors, DICOFs (30 mg) could be used as dispersive extractants to recover 95.2% of 0.6 ng mL^-1 diltiazem from 25 mL phosphate buffer with quadruplicate uses of 0.5 mL methanol/acetic acid (v/v = 9/1) as the eluent. Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models were fitted to the isothermal and kinetic sorption mechanisms, respectively. The maximum sorption capacity of DICOF was ten times larger than that of NICOF (156 vs. 15.2 mg/g). The interday recoveries of 0.6 ng mL^-1 spiked in 20-fold diluted human urine, and 60-fold diluted human serum were 93.2% and 90.6%, respectively.

Imprinted β-ketoenamine-linked covalent organic frameworks as dispersive sorbents for the fluorometric determination of timolol

Timolol accompanied the formation of fluorescent β-ketoenamine-linked covalent organic frameworks (COFs) via the Sc(Tof)₃-catalyzed condensation of derivated carbaldehyde and hydrazide in a 1,4-dioxane/mesitylene porogen to construct timolol-imprinted COFs (TICOFs). With high imprinting factors, the synthesis-optimized TICOFs were characterized by fluorescence, UV-Vis spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption/desorption analyses, scanning electron microscopy, and FTIR spectrometry. The TICOF fluorescence measured at 390 nm/510 nm is dynamically quenched by timolol and was thus utilized to quantify timolol in a linear range of 25-500 nM with a LOD of 8 nM. The TICOF recovered 99.4% of 0.5% timolol maleate in a commercial eye drop (RSD = 1.1%, n = 5). In addition, TICOF was used as a dispersive sorbent to recover 95% of 2.0 nM timolol from 20 mg of TICOF in 25 mL phosphate buffer. Dilution factors of 25 and 75 were the maximum tolerated proportions of the urine and serum matrix spiked with 2.0 nM timolol to reach recoveries of 92.4% and 90.3%, respectively.

Covalent Organic Framework Composites: Synthesis and Analytical Applications

In the recent years, composite materials containing covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have raised increasing interest for analytical applications. To date, various synthesis techniques have emerged that allow for the preparation of crystalline and porous COF composites with various materials. Herein, we summarize the most common methods used to gain access to crystalline COF composites with magnetic nanoparticles, other oxide materials, graphene and graphene oxide, and metal nanoparticles. Additionally, some examples of stainless steel, polymer, and metal-organic framework composites are presented. Thereafter, we discuss the use of these composites for chromatographic separation, environmental remediation, and sensing.

Triple-dimensional spectroscopy combined with chemometrics for the discrimination of pesticide residues based on ionic liquid-stabilized Mn-ZnS quantum dots and covalent organic frameworks

Manganese-doped zinc sulfide quantum dots (Mn-ZnS QDs) are promising candidates for multi-channel sensing analysis due to their multi-dimensional optical properties. In this study, we integrated amino-silane and ionic liquid co-modified Mn-ZnS QDs and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) into optosensing nanoparticles to provide triple-dimensional optical response signals and combined them with chemometrics for the analysis of multiple pesticide residues. Through the exploration and optimization of a series of conditions, fluorescence, room temperature phosphorescence, and ultraviolet-visible combined with chemometrics were used for the discrimination and recognition of multiple pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables. The ionic liquid of 1-vinyl-3-ethylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate was used to modify Mn-ZnS QDs to improve the optical response and enrichment of pesticide adsorption sites, which were also synergistically enhanced by the COF support. This is a potential method to discriminate pesticides efficiently and enables fast and reliable analysis of pesticides in the agricultural and food industries.

Use of a magnetic covalent organic framework material with a large specific surface area as an effective adsorbent for the extraction and determination of six fluoroquinolone antibiotics by HPLC in milk sample

A magnetic covalent organic framework material was synthesized with a core-shell structure using a simple solvothermal method. It was prepared with Fe₃ O₄ as the magnetic core, covalent organic framework as the shell, which synthesized from 1,3,5-triformylphloroglucinol and p-phenylenediamine by Schiff base reaction. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption were used to characterize magnetic adsorbent. It has showed a large specific surface area (505.6 m² /g), which can provide many adsorption sites. Moreover, the saturation magnetization value was 48.4 emu/g enough to be separated by external magnet. Six kinds of fluoroquinolones (enoxacin, fleroxacin, ofloxacin, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, and lomefloxacin) were extracted by magnetic solid phase extraction with the magnetic adsorbent. High-performance liquid chromatography detects the entire adsorption and desorption process to further evaluate the optimal extraction and desorption conditions. Under the optimal chromatographic conditions, this method showed a low detection limit (0.05 to 0.20 μg/L), good linearity in the range of 0.5 to 200 μg/L, and the enrichment factor reaches 115.5-127.3. The spiked recovery of the fluoroquinolones in milk sample ranged from 90.4 to 101.2%.

Fluorescent nanomaterials combined with molecular imprinting polymer: synthesis, analytical applications, and challenges

Fluorescent nanomaterials (FNMs) and molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been widely used in analytical chemistry for determination. However, low selectivity of FNMs and low sensitivity of MIPs hinder their applications. Combining the merits of FNMs and MIPs, FNMs coated with MIPs (FNMs@MIPs) were proposed to solve those problems. Carbon dots, semiconductor quantum dots, noble metal nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, and covalent-organic frameworks have been reported to be coated with MIPs. In order to overcome challenges for FNMs@MIPs, such as the lack of handy synthesis routes, incompatibility with aqueous solutions, heterogeneous size of particles, leakage of template molecules, the biocompatibility of FNMs@MIPs, and the inference between FNMs and MIPs, scientists proposed some solutions in recent years. We comprehensively review the newest advances of the FNMs@MIPs, and predict the direction of the future development. Graphical abstract.

Recent advances in the construction of functionalized covalent organic frameworks and their applications to sensing

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs), as an emerging class of porous crystalline polymers, are built by the combination of the light elements through the strong covalent bonds. In the past decade, COFs have been reported to show plenty of unique properties (such as ordered channels, large specific surface area, highly tunable porosity, optional building blocks, predictable and stable structure, and abundant functional groups), and have been widely applied in multiple fields. Recently, to further improve the potential performances of COFs and extend their applicability, a number of COFs with various functionalities have been successfully developed through the functionalization modification. In this review, we summarized the advanced design and construction of functionalized COFs, including COFs with post-synthetic modification, COFs-based composites (e.g. COFs-metal nanoparticles composites, COFs-metal oxide nanoparticles composites, COFs-MOFs composites, and COFs-enzyme composites), and molecularly imprinted COFs. Impressively, the applications of functionalized COFs to sensing also have been comprehensively summarized, including colorimetric sensing, fluorescent sensing, electrochemical sensing, and other sensing (such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensing, photoelectrochemical sensing, and humidity sensing). In the end, future opportunities and challenges in this promising field are tentatively proposed.

Recent advances in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as a smart sensing material

Recent advances in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as a smart sensing material are summarized and highlighted.

A high photoluminescence sensor for selective detection of cartap based on functionalized VBimBF4B ionic liquid-strengthened sulfur-doped carbon nanodots

A photoluminescence sensor based on functionalized room temperature ionic liquid-strengthened sulfur-doped carbon nanodots is developed for real-time monitoring of cartap.