Construction of a sensing platform for rapid visual detection of oxytetracycline using AIE/Eu MOFs-based molecularly imprinted ratiometric fluorescent probe

Rapid and accurate field testing for oxytetracycline (OTC) is crucial for ensuring food safety and monitoring environmental pollution. Herein, we report the construction of an aggregation-induced emission metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)-mediated molecularly imprinted ratio metric fluorescent sensor (AIE/Eu@MIPs) for the rapid and selective detection of OTC with high sensitivity. AIE MOFs with ultra-high quantum yield were utilized as the blue fluorescence emission carriers, thus avoiding any compromise between convenience and cost-effectiveness. The detection sensitivity was significantly enhanced by modifying the fluorescence signals, driven by the combined effects of the inner filter effect (IFE) and antenna effect (AE). The detection limit was as low as 21 nM (about 9.67 μg/kg). More importantly, a portable optical sensing platform integrating AIE/Eu@MIPs was developed for visual detection of OTC. The developed probe and portable device-based sensing platform demonstrate considerable potential for on-site detection of OTC in real-world applications.