Abstract

HNTs with nanotubular structure and hollow cavities and large aspect ratio, are a type of natural clay minerals which are widely used. In this work, Zirconium metal organic framework (Zr-MOF), as an efficient fluorescent nanomaterial, was synthesized by a one-step solvothermal procedure using terephthalic acid as ligand. The obtained Zr-MOF was used for modifying the halloysite nanotubes (HNT). The synthesized HNT/MOF was evaluated by different characterization techniques including FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, and EDS. The HNT/MOF depicted highly fluorescent emission with a maximum fluorescence emission at 396 nm using 270 nm excitation. The function of the presented assay for imatinib (IMA) is based on "turn-off" the fluorescence signal in accor-dance with enhancing the analyte concentration. To obtain best function, the effect of different parameters including pH, temperature, ionic strength and time were evaluated. By using the Stern-Volmer equation and at optimal conditions, HNT/MOF offered a broad linear range of 4-165 mu M along with limit of quantification and detection of 2.53 and 0.72 mu M, respectively. The method was successfully applied in determining IMA concen-trations in biological and environmental samples include human urine and sea water respectively with recoveries between 94.38 and 99.1%.