A highly sensitive chemosensor based on a metal‐organic framework for determining zinc ions in cosmetics creams and wastewater

Abstract

A novel chemosensor has been developed for the precise detection of Zn2+ in cosmetics creams and water samples, exhibiting remarkable accuracy. This new chemosensor is composed of NH2–UiO–MOF serving as the base MOF, with 2‐acetyl‐6‐bromopyridine acting as the ligand, referred to as the 2A6BrP=N–UiO–MOF chemosensor. Extensive studies have been conducted to optimize the spectrophotometric and fluorometric detection of Zn2+ ions using this new chemosensor. Achieving a consistent and stable spectroscopic signal with the 2A6BrP=N–UiO–MOF chemosensor necessitated a response time of less than 30 s. Validation of the proposed methods followed ICH (International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use) guidelines, ensuring precision in determining limits of detection (LODs), limits of quantification (LOQs), linearity, and precision. The spectrophotometric and fluorometric techniques yielded highly sensitive LOD values of 15.50 (ppb) and 8.70 ppb, respectively, for Zn2+ ions. Furthermore, research indicated that the 2A6BrP=N–UiO–MOF chemosensor can be efficiently recycled up to eight times by treating it with 0.1 M HCl, showcasing its potential for sustainability. Subsequently, the application of the 2A6BrP=N–UiO–MOF chemosensor demonstrated its remarkable efficacy in detecting Zn2+ in various real water samples. Its exceptional sensitivity and selectivity make it a valuable tool for accurate Zn2+ detection in practical environmental settings.