Fluoride (F−) is widely distributed in nature, but its excessive discharge can lead to severe ecological and health problems. Therefore, it is of very great significance to develop sensitive and accurate method for F− detection. Herein, dual-mode fluorometric and colorimetric sensors based on MIL-53(Fe)-CQDs@SiO2 are synthesized by the step-by-step self-assembly method. Notably, introduced carbon quantum dots (CQDs) can accelerate the charge transfer and activate the intrinsic active sites of MIL-53(Fe), thereby enhancing peroxidase-like activity of MIL-53(Fe). Meanwhile, CQDs as functional group can also impart the fluorescence property to MIL-53(Fe), and outer SiO2 is acted as the start switch controlling peroxidase-like activity and fluorescence property of MIL-53(Fe)-CQDs@SiO2. Benefiting from peroxidase-like activity and fluorescence property of MIL-53(Fe)-CQDs@SiO2, a feasible and effective fluorescence and colorimetric dual-mode analytical method for specificity detecting F− is established. The application of two analytical platform will improve the accuracy and reliability of detection method. As expected, both fluorescence and colorimetric analytical methods exhibit the broad linear ranges and low limit of detection values, demonstrating the excellent application potential in the detection of F−. Furthermore, the mechanism analysis suggests that SiO2 is acted as the recognition site and is etched by F− so influencing the changes in absorbance and fluorescence of system. All in all, current work provides a sensitive and reliable method for detecting F−.

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