A dual-functional fluorescent probe based on coumarin derivative for highly sensitive and intelligent detection of Zn2+/Cu2+ and cell imaging
Su-Qian Cai, Le Liang, Yongqing Liu, Jungang Wang, Xiaohua Cai
Abstract
Fluorescent molecules are widely used in detection of molecules and ions, medical diagnosis and bio-imaging because of their advantages such as non-damage, less interference, good specificity and sensitivity. Zinc and copper ion (Zn 2+ /Cu 2+ ) are important micro-nutrients and pollutants to require rapid determination and monitoring. In this work, a fluorescent probe L with fast response, good stability and wide pH ranges starting from inexpensive and readily available substrates was synthesized via a simple synthetic process. Based on fluorescence emission enhancing or quenching, probe L can sensitively detect Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ with the lowest detection limits of 4.99 × 10 −7 and 3.56 × 10 −10 mol/L, respectively. The mechanisms on Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ recognition had been further disclosed by spectral analysis , density functional theory calculations and single crystal . An intelligent sensing system based on probe L hydrogel chip and smartphone had conveniently been constructed to carry out rapid and portable determination of Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ . Moreover, probe L can also be applied to fluorescence imaging of live cells and detection of water samples, indicating that probe L may have good application potential in environmental analysis and biomedicine .