A highly selective TPE-based AIE fluorescent probe is developed for the detection of Ag+. Issue 35 (30th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Zhixiang; Liu, Yunming; Lu, Shuhan; Li, Yuan; Liu, Xiaolan; Qin, Yu; Zheng, Liyan
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 8:Issue 35(2018)
• Page Start: 19701
• Page End: 19706
• Publication Date: 2018-05-30
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/c8ra03591a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : We develop a highly selective TPE-based AIE fluorescent probe containing a benzimidazole group for the detection of Ag + . Abstract : The detection of Ag + in the environment is very important to determine the level of pollution from silver complexes, which have caused various human health problems. Herein, an aggregation-induced emission (AIE) chromophore (tetraphenylethane, TPE) attached to a benzimidazole group (tetra-benzimidazole, TBI–TPE) is synthesized and utilized to detect Ag + in the environment. The strong chelating effect between the benzimidazole group and Ag + leads to the formation of aggregates, and strong yellow fluorescence signals were observed after adding Ag + into a TBI–TPE solution. The stoichiometry of the complex of TBI–TPE and Ag + was established to be 1 : 2 using photochemical and mass spectra measurements. The detection limit of the Ag + assay is 90 nM with a linear range from 100 nM to 6 μM. This study provides a facile method to determine Ag + in real environmental samples with satisfactory results.