A polyoxomolybdate based hybrid, [delta-Mo8O26](L)(2)center dot 2H(2)O (BUC-77), was synthesized via hydrothermal method, which exhibited selectively fluorescent detection and efficient adsorptive removal toward Pb2+ in aqueous environment. A good linearity was observed between the fluorescence quenching percentage of BUC-77 and the Pb2+ concentration, along with the detection limit being 6.91 ppb. BUC-77 was stable in common solvents and wide pH range, which could be regenerated by being washed with dilute inorganic acids like HNO3 after adsorption of Pb2+. The results revealed that BUC-77 could be potentially used to achieve both detection and removal of Pb2+ in wastewater. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.