Hierarchically structured hollow bimetallic ZnNi MOF microspheres as a sensing platform for adenosine detection

•Bimetallic ZnNi MOFs with hierarchical structure were designed and prepared by a facile one-pot method.•The morphology of bimetallic MOFs could be designed by controlling the two metal ions molar ratio.•The doping content of Ni2+ ions into the MOFs will lead to enhancement of sensing performance.•The Zn/Ni MOF (1:2) exhibited detection limit of 20.32 fg·mL−1 toward AD within the range of 10−4∼102 ng·mL−1.