Luminol-Eu-based ratiometric fluorescence probe for highly selective and visual determination of tetracycline

• Published in: Talanta (Oxford) 2021-11, Vol.234, p.122612-122612, Article 122612
• Main Authors: Yao, Ruihong, Li, Zhijian, Liu, Gang, Fan, Congbin, Pu, Shouzhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aggregation-induced emission; Luminol; Ratiometric fluorescence probe; Tetracycline; Visual detection
• ISSN: 0039-9140; 1873-3573
• DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2021.122612

In this work, a ratiometric fluorometric method based on luminol-Europium complex (luminol-Eu) was constructed for the detection of tetracycline (TC). Luminol-Eu, synthesized by self-assembly reaction, displayed a strongly emission peak at 453 nm under excitation at 360 nm which was derived from the aggregation-induced emission (AIE) of the luminol-Eu. In the present of TC, the fluorescence of luminol-Eu at 453 nm was quenched based on inner filter effect (IFE). Meantime, the characteristic emission peak of Eu3+ at 626 nm can be observed thank to antenna effect (AE). Therefore, we proposed a ratiometric fluorometric method for detection of TC, which allowed detection of TC from 0.5 to 80 μM with the detection limit of 39 nM. In addition, the luminol-Eu-based test paper was prepared for visual semi-quantitative detection of TC in real samples based on the color of luminol-Eu change from blue to red under 365 nm ultraviolet light. All of those results indicated that the ratiometric fluorometric strategy was fast, sensitive, and visual for detection of TC. The luminol-Eu complex have strongly emission peak at 453 nm based on the aggregation-induced emission (AIE). In the present of tetracycline (TC), the fluorescence of luminol-Eu at 453 nm was quenched due to inner filter effect (IFE). Meantime, Eu3+ sensitized by the TC (antenna effect, AE) that red fluorescence emission of Eu3+ at 626 nm can be observed. Based on this, we proposed a ratiometric fluorometric method for detection of TC. [Display omitted] •A luminol-Eu-based ratiometric fluorescent probe is established based on AIE.•The proposed method shows rapid, high sensitive and visual for detection of TC.•The proposed method is successfully applied for TC detection in real samples.•A visual test paper for semi-quantitative detection of TC is designed.