A phenanthro[9, 10-d]imidazole-based optical sensor for dual-responsive turn-on detection of acidic pH and Cu2+ in chicken blood and living cells. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yin, Haochun; Zhao, Bing; Kan, Wei; Ding, Limin; Wang, Liyan; Song, Bo; Wang, Wenbo; Deng, Qigang
• Is Part Of: Dyes and pigments. Volume 173(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Dual-responsive -- Turn-on -- pH -- Cu2+ -- Chicken blood -- Cells imaging; Dyes and dyeing -- Periodicals; Pigments -- Periodicals; 667.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2019.107916
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7208

Abstract

Abstract: A phenanthro[9, 10- d ]imidazole-based organic optical sensor (PIQPy ) for dual-responsive turn-on detection of both acidic pH and Cu 2+ in semi-aqueous media was described. PIQPy was weak fluorescence (nearly turn-off) in pure ethanol solution but exhibited typical aggregation-induced emission phenomenon (moderate turn-on) in water/EtOH mixture. More interestingly, PIQPy further displayed a dual enhancement (strong turn-on) for both acidic pH and Cu 2+ with highly fluorescent intensity. p K a value of PIQPy for pH responding was 6.89, which suggests that PIQPy was an ideal biosensor for pH sensing. In addition, the super lower limit of detection for Cu 2+ were found to be 37.69 nM which also nearly 500-fold lower than Cu 2+ concentration in blood (15.7–23.6 μM). Therefore, PIQPy was successfully used to detect Cu 2+ in chicken blood. Furthermore, these dual-responsive turn-on signals to both acidic pH and Cu 2+ were also successfully implemented in HeLa cells, which proved that PIQPy was capable of imaging pH fluctuations and simultaneous Cu 2+ in living cells. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: A dual-responsive turn-on fluorescent sensor PIQPy for both acidic pH and Cu 2+ was prepared. Super lower LOD (30 nM) for PIQPy to Cu 2+ was found. PIQPy was successfully applied to detect Cu 2+ concentration in chicken blood. Also, the dual-responsive turn-on signals were realized in HeLa cells.