A protocol of self-assembled monolayers of fluorescent block molecules for trace Zn(ii) sensing: structures and mechanisms. Issue 128 (14th December 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xu, Hongbo; Wang, Huanhuan; Zhou, Shenghai; Xiao, Lili; Yan, Yun; Yuan, Qunhui
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 5:Issue 128(2015)
• Page Start: 106061
• Page End: 106067
• Publication Date: 2015-12-14
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c5ra20198e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : The fluorescent behavior of the SAM of TPE-C4-L2 block molecules on HOPG surface has been revealed using STM. Abstract : 2D epitaxial nanostructures formed by functional molecules at interfaces/surfaces have attracted considerable research interest because of their promising applications in catalysis, photonics, electronic devices, and so on. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that a monolayer of functional molecules may be used as a fluorescence indicator for heavy metal ions. Self-assembly of bisligand TPE-C4-L2 on highly oriented pyrolytic graphite was performed and the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) was used for trace amounts of Zn(ii ) sensing with an output signal of fluorescence. In contrast to the Zn(ii )-induced fluorescence enhancement of the TPE-C4-L2 block molecule in solution, the self-assembled TPE-C4-L2 film showed quenched fluorescence after Zn(ii ) was introduced. Using a high-resolution scanning tunneling microscope, the SAM structures of TPE-C4-L2 and its zinc complex were determined. The correlation between their optical properties and structures at the molecular level was also revealed.