Novel thiophene-based colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on sensor for highly sensitive and selective simultaneous detection of Al3+ and Zn2+ in water and food samples and its application in bioimaging

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2019-02, Vol.1049, p.196-212
• Main Authors: Li, Yang, Niu, Qingfen, Wei, Tao, Li, Tianduo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Al3; Aluminum; Cell imaging; Change detection; Chelation; Colorimetry; Colormetric and fluorescent turn-on sensor; Environmental and food detection; Filter paper; Fluorescence; Food; Imines; Medical imaging; NMR; Nuclear magnetic resonance; Permeability; Selectivity; Sensors; Titration; Water purification; Zinc; Zn2
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2018.10.043

A novel bifunctional thiophene-based Schiff base TS as a colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on sensor for rapid and simultaneous detection of Al3+ and Zn2+ ions with high selectivity and sensitivity has been developed. The sensor shows remarkable fluorescence enhancement response for Al3+ and Zn2+ over a broad pH range with good anti-interference capability, which accompanied with an obvious color change easily detected by naked eyes. Sensor TS can detect as low as 3.7 × 10−9 M for Al3+ and 3.0 × 10−8 M for Zn2+, whereas respective association constants are 1.16 × 104 M−1 and 2.08 × 104 M−1. With the help of fluorescence titration and Job's plot, the stoichiometric ratio of TS with Al3+/Zn2+ was determined to be 1:1. The sensing mechanism of sensor TS with Al3+/Zn2+ based on the chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) was analyzed in detail through 1H NMR titration, FTIR, HRMS and DFT studies. Moreover, sensor TS has been applied to the detection of Al3+ and Zn2+ in real environmental water and food samples as well as the filter paper-based test strips. Furthermore, sensor TS has good cell-permeability and can be used to selectively sense intracellular Al3+ and Zn2+ by bioimaging. [Display omitted] •A novel thiophene-based colorimetric and fluorescent turn-on sensor TS was developed for Al3+ and Zn2+ ions detection.•Sensor TS shows rapid response, remarkable sensitivity, excellent selectivity and high anti-interference capability.•Sensor TS has been used for determination of Al3+ and Zn2+ in real environmental water, food samples and test strips.•Sensor TS can be used to image intracellular Al3+ and Zn2+ in living cells.