A metal–organic framework and quantum dot-based ratiometric fluorescent probe for the detection of formaldehyde in food

A green and sensitive ratio fluorescence strategy was proposed for the detection of formaldehyde (FA) in food based on a kind of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MIL-53(Fe)-NO 2 , and nitrogen-doped Ti 3 C 2 MXene quantum dots (N-Ti 3 C 2 MQDs) with a blue fluorescence at 450 nm. As a type of MOFs with oxidase-like activity, MIL-53(Fe)-NO 2 can catalyze o -phenylenediamine (OPD) into yellow fluorescent product 2,3-diaminophenazine (DAP) with a fluorescent emission at 560 nm. DAP has the ability to suppress the blue light of N-Ti 3 C 2 MQDs due to inner filter effect (IFE). Nevertheless, Schiff base reaction can occur between FA and OPD, inhibiting DAP production. This results in a weakening of the IFE which reverses the original fluorescence color and intensity of DAP and N-Ti 3 C 2 MQDs. So, the ratio of fluorescence intensity detected at respective 450 nm and 560 nm was designed as the readout signal to detect FA in food. The linear range of FA detection was 1–200 µM, with a limit of detection of 0.49 µM. The method developed was successfully used to detect FA in food with satisfactory results. It indicates that MIL-53(Fe)-NO 2 , OPD, and N-Ti 3 C 2 MQDs (MON) system constructed by integrating the mimics enzyme, enzyme substrate, and fluorescent quantum dots has potential application for FA detection in practical samples. Graphical Abstract