Detection of Fe3+ and Hg2+ Ions by Using High Fluorescent Carbon Dots Doped With S And N as Fluorescence Probes

In this paper, carbon quantum dots (N-S-CDs) containing sulfur and nitrogen were synthesized using citric acid and thiourea. The average particle size of N-S-CDs is 8 nm. The N-S-CDs surface contains various of functional groups, which has good water solubility. The fluorescence quantum yield of N-S-CDs is as high as 36.8%. N-S-CDs emits strong blue fluorescence in aqueous solution and has good photostability in neutral and alkaline NaCl solution. N-S-CDs has unique selectivity and high sensitivity to Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions, and the lowest detection limits are 1.4 μM and 0.16 μM, respectively. Under the interference of other metal ions, Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions can still effectively and stably quench the fluorescence of N-S-CDs. In addition, in the detection of actual samples, N-S-CDs can effectively detect Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in tap water and lake water.

     

Further Develop 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Based Probe to Effectively Detect 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol with the Help of DFT Calculations

Four fluorimetric probes had been developed to rapidly detect 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). They were designed and synthesized on the basis of 1,3,4-thiadiazole framework combining calculation with experiment. Among them, SK-1 displayed strong blue emission with fluorescence quantum yield as high as 63.6% in solution. Further evaluation demonstrated that SK-1 displays good selectivity and high sensitivity for rapid and visual detection of TNP. It brought significant changes in both colour and fluorescence emission spectrum. The detection limit was as low as 38 nM. Quenching mechanism was confirmed as photo-induced electron transfer (PET) by nuclear magnetic titration and DFT calculations. What’s more, application in real water samples and solid phase paper tests illustrated the practical significance of detection of TNP in both vapor and solution.

     

Highly Sensitive ‘on–off’ Pyrene Based AIEgen for Selective Sensing of Copper (II) Ions in Aqueous Media

A Fluorescent chemosensor based on pyrene scaffold, 5-diethylamino-2-(pyren-1-yliminomethyl)-phenol (PDS) is synthesized using condensation method. It displays novel aggregation-induced emission (AIE) phenomena in its aggregated/solid state. The AIE characteristic of PDS is studied in CH₃CN/H₂O mixtures at different volume percentage of water and morphology of the aggregated particles are investigated by DLS and optical fluorescence microscopic study. The probe is aggregated into ordered one-dimensional (1-D) rod like microcrystals and exhibit high efficiency of solid-state emission with green colour. By taking advantage of its interesting AIE feature, the aggregated hydrosol has been utilized as ‘off–on’ type fluorescence switching chemosensor with superb selectivity and sensitivity towards Cu²⁺ions and the limit of detection (LOD) was calculated as low as 6.3 µM. A high Stern–Volmer quenching constant was estimated to be 2.88?×?10⁵ M^?1. The proposed chemosensor with AIE feature reveals a prospective view for the on-site visual recognition of Cu²⁺ ions in fluorescent paper strips and the synthesized probe is also exploited to find out the concentration of Cu²⁺ions in real water samples.

     

Green Chemical Synthesis of N-Cholyl-L-Cysteine Encapsulated Gold Nanoclusters for Fluorometric Detection of Mercury Ions

Herein we report a simple, single-step, cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and biocompatible approach using sodium salt of N-cholyl-L-cysteine (NaCysC) capped gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) with green emission properties at above the CMC in aqueous medium under UV-light irradiation. The primary and secondary CMC of NaCysC was found to be 4.6 and 10.7 mM respectively using pyrene as fluorescent probe. The synthesized AuNCs exhibit strong emission maxima at 520 nm upon excitation at 375 nm with a large Stokes shift of 145 nm. The surface functionality and morphology of NCs are studied by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dymanic light scattering studies and transmission electron microscopy. The formation of AuNCs was completed within 5 h and exhibit high stability for more than 6 months. The NaCysC templated AuNCs selectively quenches the Hg²⁺ ions with higher sensitivity in aqueous solution over the other metal ions. The fluorescence analysis of Hg²⁺ showed a wide linear range from 15 to 120 µM and a detection limit was found to be 15 nM.

     

Schiff Base Functionalized 1,2,4-Triazole and Pyrene Derivative for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Cu2+ ion in the Mixed Organic- Aqueous Media

We have prepared Schiff base functionalized 1,2,4-triazole and pyrene derivative for selective, sensitive, and naked eye colorimetric detection of Cu²⁺ in the mixed organic- aqueous media. Amongst the 18 different metal ions studied for absorption and fluorescence titration, only Cu²⁺ ion encourages the modification in spectral properties of Schiff base functionalized 1,2,4-Triazole and Pyrene Probe. The stoichiometric ratio of the TP-Cu²⁺ complex was determined to be 2:1 according to Job’s plot. The lower detection limit estimated for Cu²⁺ is 0.234 nM which shows excellent sensitivity and selectivity of the present analytical method towards detection of Cu²⁺ ion in the mixed organic-aqueous media. The present approach has been successfully utilized for the quantitative determination of Cu²⁺ ion from environmental aqueous solution.

     

Highly Selective Detection of Al3+ by Carboxamide-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor

We designed a carboxamide-based fluorescent chemosensor HTPQ ((E)-2-(((8-hydroxy-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H,5H-pyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-9-yl)methylene)amino)thiophene-3-carboxamide) for detecting Al³⁺. HTPQ could probe Al³⁺ by fluorescence enhancement. Limit of detection for Al³⁺ toward HTPQ was 1.4 μM. Binding of HTPQ to Al³⁺ was determined to be a 1:1 ratio with the analysis of Job plot and ESI-mass. In addition, HTPQ was able to detect Al³⁺ using the test strip by fluorescent variation. The sensing process of Al³⁺ by HTPQ was presented by UV–vis titration, ESI–MS, Job plot, ¹H NMR titration and DFT calculation.

     

Quinoline-Based “On-Off” Fluorescent Sensor for Acetate: Effect of Link Mode between Binding Sites and Fluorophore on Fluorescence Changes

ABSTRACT

A novel colorimetric and fluorescence anion sensor based on 8-nitroquinolyl-2-aldehyde phenyl-thiosemicarbazone (1) was designed and synthesized according to the approach that the binding sites were covalently linked to the signaling units. In DMSO, sensor 1 exhibited a naked-eye color change from colorless to yellow upon complexation with acetate. The association constant of 1 for acetate ion was determined to be 1.20 × 10³ M^?1 by nonlinear fitting analyses of the titration curves. The strong interactions of compound 1 with acetate ion could be rationalized on basis of not only the guest basicity but also shape complementarity between 1 and acetate. In addition, the fluorescence emission of 1 was effectively quenched upon addition of acetate ions owing to the fact that the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) was enhanced.     

Elucidation of Selectivity for Uranyl Ions with an ICT Organosilane-Modified Fluorescent Receptor

A fluorescent receptor, isocyanatopropyl trimethoxysilane grafted 9-amino acridine (AcI), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. Photophysical properties and pH-dependent fluorescence behavior of AcI were investigated and its complex stoichiometry with uranyl ion was elucidated. Change in fluorescence emission of AcI with pH of the solution was observed and pKa value was determined by using integrated emission intensity versus pH. It was found that AcI exhibited fluorescence enhancement, which can be attributed to an internal charge transfer (ICT) mechanism, upon titration with uranyl ions in mixture of ethanol-buffer solution while the fluorescence emission of AcI was not affected by addition of other divalent transition metal ions except mercury (II) ions. On the other hand, the both fluorescence and UV-vis titration measurements revealed unique selectivity for uranyl ions over the interfering mercury (II) ions. The spectrofluorometric titration clarified that uranyl interacted with AcI to form AcI ₂(UO ₂ ^2?+ )₃ (2:3) complex structure with an apparent association constant of K?=?7.41?×?10⁶ M^?2/3. The interference effect of some cations on fluorescence enhancement exhibited by complex was also tested.     

Cyanine-based Fluorescent Probe for Cyanide Ion Detection

Cyanine-based probe-possessing indolium iodide and indole unit were synthesized in two-step with easy available raw material: a potential probe for the cyanide ion detection. The detecting ability of the probe was investigated and confirmed by a visual and instrumental approach. A noticeable color change from orange to colorless obtained only for cyanide ions and other added ions does not impart any changes visually and through UV and Fluorescence technique. To confirm the mechanism of sensing 1H-NMR recorded. From the result, the peak belonging to N-methyl displayed an upfield shift from 4.01 δ ppm to 2.74 δ ppm due to the disappearance of indolium iodide ion and the olefin protons peaks were shifted from 7.19 to 6.17 and 8.70 to 7.20 δ ppm confirms the nucleophilic addition of cyanide ion to the probe. Test kit from filter paper prepared for the real-time monitoring cyanide ion. The prepared strip is effective in detecting cyanide ion with a visual color change.

     

A novel colorimetric receptor responding AcO anions based on an azo derivative in DMSO and DMSO/water solution

A novel and efficient receptor based on the phenylhydrazone derivatives is successfully developed and applied to the acetate anion recognition, indicating that the origin of special preference for acetate (AcO⁻) anion maybe the structure well matching between the host and the guest. The sensor changes its color so obviously on addition of the acetate ions and that may make the naked-eye recognition in DMSO and even in DMSO/H₂O (95/5) solution come true. Also, the anion binding ability determinations were performed by UV-vis titration and ¹H NMR titration experiments with different anions in the solutions mentioned. The fluorescence enhancement can also be observed after the host is coordinated with the AcO⁻ anion and excited by light wavelength at 280 nm.     

A Coumarin-Based Fluorescent Chemosensor for Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> in Aqueous Ethanol Media

A coumarin-based fluorescent chemosensor 1 for Zn²⁺ was designed and synthesized. Compound 1 exhibits lower background fluorescence due to intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. However, upon mixing with Zn²⁺ in 30% (v/v) aqueous ethanol, a “turn-on” fluorescence emission is observed. The fluorescence emission increases linearly with Zn²⁺ concentration in the range 0.5–10 μmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.29 μmol L⁻¹. No remarkable emission enhancement was, however, observed for other metal ions. The proposed chemosensor was applied to the determination of Zn²⁺ in water samples with satisfactory results.     

One-pot synthesis of carbon dots co-doped with N and S: high quantum yield governed by molecular state and fluorescence detection of Ag+

Fluorescent carbon-based nanoparticles, called chronically as carbon dots (CDs), were synthesised from citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method. After a series of micro-structural characterisation, N and S elements could be sufficiently doped by means of the heteroatom in the CDs solution. The as-prepared CDs solution showed blue colour fluorescence with the highest QY of 78.6%, and study on the UV–visible and PL spectra further revealed that the outstanding fluorescence of as-prepared CDs mainly originates from the generated molecular fluorophores instead of the surface state. Owing to the strong fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag⁺ with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH₂ groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag⁺ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag⁺ for the application in industrial pollutants.

This figure shows citric acid (CA) and 2-Aminothiophenol (2AT) via an N and S co-doped hydrothermal method to prepare CDs with blue colour fluorescence and the highest QY of 78.6%. Owing to the excellent fluorescence, the as-prepared CDs can be used as a sensing probe for the detection of Ag⁺ with high sensitivity and selectivity, and the changes of fluorescence intensity exhibited the complex nature of the quenching mechanism due to the –SH and –NH₂ groups on the fringes of carbonaceous cores or molecular fluorophores to aggregate into another fluorescent cores with the assistance of Ag⁺ ions, which promises a new approach for efficient detection of Ag⁺ for the application in industrial pollutants.     

Automated Flow Injection Method for Monitoring Total Cyanide Concentration in Petroleum Refinery Effluents Using Ninhydrin as Color Reagent

Abstract

An automated flow injection system was developed for monitoring cyanide concentration in effluents from petroleum refineries. The method takes advantage of the reaction of cyanide ions with ninhydrin in basic medium in a flow injection system. A linear range of 0.01 to 0.04 µg mL^?1 was obtained with a detection limit of 1.5 ng mL^?1 by using 500 µL sample injection, with an analytical throughput of 30 samples hr^?1, excluding sample pretreatment by distillation if required. Regarding interferences, cyanide can be determined in the presence of 100 mg L^?1 of thyocianate and sulfide, both species normally found in industrial effluents. For total cyanide determination, strong acid distillation is recommended due to the presence of cyano‐metallic complexes in the refinery effluents. The method was validated by analyte addition and results compared with the standard methodology proposed by the American Public Health Association (APHA). The more significant advantage of the proposed method is the lack of use of carcinogenic reagent such as pyridine and psychotropic compound such as barbituric acid, both used in the recommended method by APHA. Thus, the proposed method is really a friendly analytical procedure.     

A FRET Fluorescent Sensor for Ratiometric and Visual Detection of Sulfide Based on Carbon Dots and Silver Nanoclusters

In this work, the fluorescent sensor based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) and electrostatic interaction (EI) was prepared for the ratiometric and visual detecting S^2–. The FRET fluorescent sensor consists of two fluorophores, with carbon dots (CDs) as energy donors and silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) as acceptors. At 390 nm excitation, CDs and Ag NCs showed two well-separated peaks at 445 nm and 660 nm, separately. The existence of S^2– caused the red fluorescence at 660 nm to be quenched, whereas the blue fluorescence at 445 nm was restored, and the fluorescence color of the ratiometric sensor changed from pink to blue. It could be employed in ratiometric and visual detecting S^2–. The linear range of quantitative detection S^2– was 0.5–100 μM, and its detection limit was 0.35 μM. CDs-Ag NCs could be used for detecting S^2– in mineral water and tap water. The results showed that the FRET ratiometric fluorescent sensor exhibits good anti-interference and high selectivity for detecting S^2– in environmental water samples.

     

A Colorimetric and Fluorescent Probe Based on Michael Acceptor Type Diketopyrrolopyrrole for Cyanide Detection

A new probe 1 was synthesized by incorporating an α,β-unsaturated ketone to a diketopyrrolopyrrole fluorophore. The probe exhibited a selective and sensitive response to cyanide against other anions. Addition of CN^? aqueous solution to 1 resulted in a rapid color change from pink to light yellow together with a blue shift from 518 to 421 nm, while other anions did not induce any significant color change. Furthermore, the Michael addition of cyanide to 1 elicited 98% fluorescence quenching at 608 nm, which constituted the fluorescence signature for cyanide detection. The detection limit was 0.67 μM using the fluorescence spectra changes, which was far lower than the WHO guideline of 1.9 μM. Moreover, 1-based test strips could successfully detect CN^? solutions.     

Bis-(2-Hydroxybenzylidene)-1H-Pyrazole 3,5-Dicarbohydrazide as a Novel Chemosensor for the Detection of Endogenous Zinc: A Fluorometric Study

The study reports synthesis and photophysical studies of a new zinc sensing pyrazole scaffold structurally characterized to be bis(2-hydroxybenzylidene)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-dicarbohydrazide (PHSA). Excitation of the probe at 330 nm results in an emission band at 417 nm which ratiometrically red shifts to 466 nm upon Zn²⁺ addition in an unprecedented way. The photo induced electron transfer (PET) coupled intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) working for a dual-channel fluorescence emission pathway is observed and studies were supported with density functional theory and NMR titration experiments. The probe exhibited dissociation constant of 1.2156 and detection limit as low as 992 nM. The cytotoxic effects of the probe on 60 tumour cell lines were tested. The intracellular zinc sensing with reversible binding potential is verified with fluorescence microscopy experiment.     

Dual Fluorometric Detection of Fe3+ and Hg2+ Ions in an Aqueous Medium Using Carbon Quantum Dots as a “Turn-off” Fluorescence Sensor

The present study aimed to develop a carbon dots-based fluorescence (FL) sensor that can detect more than one pollutant simultaneously in the same aqueous solution. The carbon dots-based FL sensor has been prepared by employing a facile hydrothermal method using citric acid and ethylenediamine as precursors. The as-synthesized CDs displayed excellent hydrophilicity, good photostability and blue fluorescence under UV light. They have been used as an efficient “turn-off” FL sensor for dual sensing of Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions in an aqueous medium with high sensitivity and selectivity through a static quenching mechanism. The lowest limit of detection (LOD) for Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions was found to be 0.406 µM and 0.934 µM, respectively over the concentration range of 0-50 µM. Therefore, the present work provides an effective strategy to monitor the concentration of Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺ ions simultaneously in an aqueous medium using environment-friendly CDs.

Graphical Abstract

     

Synthesis,Characterization and Applications of Schiff Base Chemosensor for Determination of Cr(III) Ions

The development of a highly sensitive, selective, and efficient sensor for the determination and detection of Cr(III) ions remains a great challenge. Recently, some fluorescent chemosensors have been developed for the recognition of Cr(III) ions. But, the main drawbacks of the reported fluorescent chemosensors are the lack of selectivity and interference of anions and other trivalent cations. Herein, we designed and synthesized a novel thiazole-based fluorescent and colorimetric Schiff base chemosensor SB2 for the detection of Cr(III) ion by chemodosimetric approach. Using different analytical techniques including UV–vis, ¹³C-NMR, ¹H-NMR, and FT-IR analysis the chemosensor SB2 was structurally characterized. The fully characterized chemosensor SB2 was used for the spectrofluorimetric and colorimetric detection of Cr(III) ions. Interestingly, chemosensor SB2 upon interaction with various metal cations including Ni²⁺, Na⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺, Mn²⁺, K⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Hg²⁺, Co²⁺, Pb²⁺, Mg²⁺, Sn²⁺, Al³⁺ and Cr³⁺ displays highly selective and sensitive fluorescent (turn-on) and colorimetric (yellow to colorless) response toward Cr(III) ions. The fluorescence and UV–vis techniques confirmed the selective hydrolysis of azomethine group (-C?=?N-) of Schiff base chemosensor SB2 by Cr(III) ions. As a result, the fluorescence enhancement was observed that is corresponding to 2-hydroxy-1-nepthaldehyde (fluorophore). The chemosensor SB2 exhibits high interference performance towards Cr(III) ions over other metal cations in a wide pH range. Mover, the quite low detection limit was calculated to be 0.027 µg ml-1 (0.5 µM) (3σ/slop), lower than the maximum tolerable limits of Cr(III ions (10 µM) in drinking water permitted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These results show that chemosensor SB2 has great potential to detect selectively Cr(III) ions in the agricultural, environmental and biological analysis system.

Graphical Abstract

     

Optical detection system for laser cooling and precision laser spectroscopy of relativistic highly charged ions at the CSRe

Laser cooling and precision laser spectroscopy experiments of relativistic highly charged ions are being prepared at the heavy-ion experimental cooler storage ring (CSRe). Optical detection of fluorescence photons, emitted from the laser-excited ions, is extremely important for both powerful methods. In this paper, we briefly report on the current status of the existing optical detectors and also on their performance during laser cooling of relativistic Li-like ¹⁶O⁵⁺ ion beams at the CSRe. In addition, we introduce the designs for our new optical detection systems, which have much higher photon detection efficiencies and can cover a much broader wavelength range. These detector systems will be used for the upcoming laser spectroscopy experiment of Li-like ¹⁶O⁵⁺ ions, as well as for future laser spectroscopy experiments with other highly charged ions.     

Biophysical Studies on the Interactions of a Classic Mitochondrial Uncoupler with Bovine Serum Albumin by Spectroscopic,Isothermal Titration Calorimetric and Molecular Modeling Methods

The interaction between a classic uncoupler (2,4-dinitrophenol, DNP) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy under the physiological conditions. The fluorescence quenching constants were calculated by the Stern-Volmer equation, and based upon the temperature dependence of quenching constants, it was proved that DNP caused a static quenching of the intrinsic fluorescence of BSA. Owing to the static quenching mechanism, different associative binding constants at various temperatures were determined and thus the thermodynamic parameters, namely enthalpy (ΔH = −21.12 kJ mol⁻¹) and entropy changes (ΔS = 23.51 J mol⁻¹ K⁻¹) could be calculated based on the binding constants. Moreover, the enthalpy and entropy changes are consistent with the “Enthalpy-Entropy Compensation” equation obtained from our previous work. The negative enthalpy and positive entropy indicated that the electrostatic interactions played a major role in DNP-BSA binding process. Site marker competitive displacement experiments were carried out by using fluorescence and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) methods. These results showed that DNP bound with high affinity to Sudlow’s site I (subdomain IIA) of BSA. The distance (r = 3.78 nm) between donor (BSA) and acceptor (DNP) was obtained according to the mechanism of fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Furthermore, the results of synchronous fluorescence and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopic studies indicated that the microenvironment and the secondary conformation of BSA were altered. The above results were supported by theoretical molecular modeling methods.