Two new lanthanide metal–organic frameworks Ln(FBPT)(H₂O)(DMF) (FBPT = 2′-fluoro-biphenyl-3,4′,5-tricarboxylate, Ln = Eu and Tb) were prepared under solvothermal conditions. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analyses reveal that the two compounds are isostructurally related with the same one-dimensional channel structure on the basis of FBPT as an organic linker. Herein, the Eu(FBPT)(H₂O)(DMF) (EuL) is selected as a representative sample for luminescent measurements. Study of the photoluminescence properties reveals that the EuL exhibits red emission, corresponding to the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F_J (J = 1–4) transitions of the Eu³⁺ ion under UV light excitation. Most interestingly, when this compound was immersed in the different organic solvents and metal ion DMF solutions, it shows highly selective and sensitive sensing for small organic molecules and Cu²⁺ ions. In connection to this, a probable sensing mechanism was also discussed in this paper.

MOF-76 exhibits not only high sensitivity for the detection of U(vi), but also high adsorption capacity of 298 mg g⁻¹ at a low pH value of ∼3.0. Furthermore, the high selectivity for uranium adsorption over a series of competing metal ions is also illustrated.

Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8 nanoparticles with outstanding UO₂²⁺ adsorption capacity and selectivity for lanthanide ions could be simply separated by magnet from a solution containing lanthanide ions.

Nanoscale Tb-active coordination polymers Tb(BTC)(H₂O)₆ were facilely, rapidly and environmentally-friendly fabricated at room temperature. The structures of the samples were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction and elemental analyses, and the morphologies were characterized by SEM. The studies of the photoluminescence properties reveal that these nanostructured coordination polymers exhibit green emission, corresponding to the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F_J transitions of the Tb³⁺ ions under UV light excitation, which represents highly selective and sensitive sensing for metal ions and acetone molecules in aqueous solution, and the probable sensing mechanisms were discussed.