Design logic and research advances in heterometallic coordination polymer-based fluorescent sensors: Spanning d-f,...

With the rapid development of coordination polymers, traditional homometallic coordination polymers have gradually shown limitations in structural design and function regulation. By contrast, heterometallic coordination polymers (HCPs), through the introduction of two or more types of metal ions, not only enrich topological structures but also generate synergistic effects, thereby exhibiting unique advantages in fields such as catalysis, sensing, and energy storage. The development of HCPs not only supplements the functions of homometallic systems but also transcends the performance boundaries of traditional materials through the synergistic effects between metals. In the research on HCPs, most studies have focused on their applications in the field of magnetism, such as single-molecule magnets, magnetocaloric materials, and spintronic devices. Compared with the research in the magnetic field, the research on HCPs in the field of fluorescent sensing is relatively limited. It can be anticipated that with the interdisciplinary integration of synthetic chemistry, materials engineering, and sensing technology, HCPs will surely become the core system of next-generation fluorescent sensing materials, providing more efficient and reliable detection solutions for fields such as environmental governance and precision medicine.