Evaluation of AgNCs@PEI and their integrated hydrogel for colorimetric and fluorometric detection of ascorbic acid.

A dual-mode colorimetric and fluorometric sensor based on water soluble silver nanoclusters (AgNCs@PEI) is developed for quantitative and visual detection of ascorbic acid (Asc A). The detection method relies on the Asc A induced aggregation of AgNCs@PEI, which resulted in fluorecsence quenching of the sensor. The clusters exhibited a unique combination of static and collisional quenching with a wide range of dynamic detection (1-105 µM) Linear relationship was observed in the concentration range 102-103 µM using fluorescence and 0.2 × 102-5 × 103 µM using absorbance spectroscopy with respective detection limits of 10.65 µM and 2.49 µM. The corresponding colorimetric and fluorometric changes can be easily monitored by the naked eye with a visual detection limit of 103 µM. AgNCs@PEI were further integrated within a hydrogel for developing a solid-state visual detection platform. Notably, the sensing response of the clusters towards Asc A remained unaltered even after hydrogel integration. Additionally, digital image analysis was adopted, which improved the sensitivity of instrument-free fluorescence detection of Asc A. Analysis by the developed sensor showed excellent recovery percentages of Asc A in spiked urine samples, which further underscores the practical applicability of the sensor.

C3-symmetric triaminoguanidine based colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor: Sequential detection of Zn2+/PPi, its RGB performance for detection of Zn2+ ion and construction of IMPLICATION logic gate.

In this work, new ethyl(E)-2-cyano-3-(1H-pyrrol-2-yl)acrylate appended C3-symmetric star-shape triaminoguanidine based Schiff base (LH3) was designed and synthesized from simple synthons. New probe, LH3 was completely analyzed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectrum. In the present probe LH3, effective π-conjugated ethyl(E)-2-cyano-acrylate unit was introduced on the periphery of the pyrrole-triaminoquanidine conjugates by using carefully chosen building units. The probe LH3 shows high selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn2+ ion via colorimetric and fluorometric changes. The yellowish orange color of LH3 solution turned to wine red color upon addition of Zn2+ solution, along with red shifted absorption maxima from 450 nm to 550 nm, this indicates the formation of LH3-Zn2+ species. Job's plot and mass spectrum analysis confirms the formation of 1:3 stoichiometric complex between the LH3 and Zn2+ ions. Further this ensemble shows selective detection towards PPi anion over the other anions based on displacement metal ion approach. Hence, reversible colorimetric/emission response of LH3 towards Zn2+ and PPi ions via "on-off-on" manner could allow the construction of IMPLICATION logic gate functions. The practical efficacy of the probe LH3 was established by utilization of the probe for the detection of Zn2+ ions in real water sample analysis. Further, the significant noticeable colorimetric changes of the probe LH3 upon addition of Zn2+ ion have been successfully integrated with a smartphone app RGB color value to construct a real-time analysis of Zn2+ ions.

A novel probe based on rhodamine 101 spirolactam and 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzothiazole moieties for three-in-one detection of paramagnetic Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2.

A novel probe based on rhodamine 101 spirolactam and 2-(2'-hydroxy-5'-methylphenyl)benzothiazole moieties (probe 1) was developed as a three-in-one platform for detection of paramagnetic Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ through different processes. Ratiometric changes in emission intensities at 565 nm and 460 nm for 1 (λex = 350 nm) were observed in presence of Co2+, Cu2+ and Ni2+ respectively. This probe displayed ratiometric colorimetric responses and 'turn-on' fluorescence responses (λex = 540 nm) toward Cu2+ and Co2+. Whereas probe 1 exhibited very weak absorption around 480 nm, no 'turn-on' emission (λex = 540 nm) in presence of Ni2+. The detection limits were 0.11 µM and 0.17 µM for Cu2+ and Co2+ ions respectively from ratiometric colorimetric measurements and 26 nM, 54 nM and 101 nM for Cu2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ respectively from ratiometric fluorometric measurements. The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT)-prohibited coupled ring-open process for 1-Cu2+ (1-Co2+) and ESIPT-prohibited irreversible process for 1-Ni2+ were proposed according to the spectral results. Furthermore, probe 1 was utilized to determine Cu2+ and Co2+ in real-life samples with good recoveries.

A novel Schiff base: Synthesis, structural characterisation and comparative sensor studies for metal ion detections.

A novel Schiff base ligand was synthesized by the condensation reaction of 2,6-diformylpyridine and 4-aminoantipyrine in MeOH and characterised by its melting point, elemental analysis, FT-IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR and mass spectroscopic studies. Molecular structure of the ligand was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The electrochemical properties of the Schiff base ligand were studied in different solvents at various scan rates. Sensor ability of the Schiff base ligand was investigated by colorimetric and fluorometric methods. Visual colour change of the ligand was investigated in MeOH solvent in presence of various metal ions Na(+), Mg(2+), Al(3+), K(+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+). Upon addition of Al(3+) ion into a MeOH solution of the ligand, an orange colour developed which is detectable by naked eye. Fluorescence emission studies showed that the ligand showed single emission band at 630-665nm upon excitation at 560nm. Addition of metal ions Na(+), Mg(2+), K(+), Cr(3+), Mn(2+), Fe(3+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Pb(2+) (1:1M ratio) cause fluorescence quenching, however addition of Al(+3) resulted in an increase in fluorescence intensity. No significant variation was observed in the fluorescence intensity caused by Al(3+) in presence of other metal ions. Therefore, the Schiff base ligand can be used for selective detection of Al(3+) ions in the presence of the other metal ions studied.