Naphthalimide-based AIE-active receptor: HSO4−/SO42− sensing and detection of Pb2+ by receptor-anion ensemble in aqueous medium

• Published in: Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy Vol. 310; p. 123879
• Main Authors: Pandit, Sulekha Kumari, Das, Gopal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 05.04.2024
• Subjects: Aggregation-Induced Emission; Fluorescence sensing; Logic gate; Photo induced-electron transfer; Photo induced-electron transfer; Fluorescence sensing; Logic gate; Aggregation-Induced Emission
• ISSN: 1386-1425
• DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2024.123879

In this study, a fluorescent naphthalimide-based sensor has been synthesized and used to detect hydrogen sulphate and sulphate ions in aqueous medium. The sensor is capable of H-bonding and is reliable for sulphate/bisulphate detection in both real water samples and paper strips. Nap-1 is used for INHIBIT type molecular logic gates with sensing of toxic metal as lead. [Display omitted] •Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) active naphthalimide based receptors.•Effective detection of HSO4−/SO42− in water (µM range).•Switch in aggregate morphology with solvent polarity.•Detection of lead in µM range by receptor-anion ensemble.•Building an INHIBIT Logic gate using the analyates, with paper based detection. Herein we report a naphthalimide-chromophore based blue light emitting Aggregation-Induced Emission (AIE) active fluorescent chemo-sensor for the selective turn-on fluorescent sensing of HSO4−/SO42− ions in the aqueous medium through in-depth spectroscopic and microscopic analysis. HSO4−/SO42−sensing in aqueous environment is quite challenging due to its high hydration energy, however Nap-1 showed a detection limit down to the micromolar range without any interference from the other tested competitive anions. The sensing mechanism has been discussed thoroughly. Nap-1 was further applied in detection of HSO4−/SO42− ions in real water as well as in fabrication of an economical paper strip model. The receptor-anion ensemble was further used for the sensing of heavy metal ions such as Pb2+ in the micromolar range. Nap-1 was used for the construction of two inputs INHIBIT type molecular logic gate.