A Novel Fluorescent Chemosensor Based on β-(2-Pyridyl)acrolein-Rhodamine B Derivative: Polymer Particle Interaction with an Enhanced Sensing Performance

Abstract

A novel, fluorescent chemosensor based on β-(2-pyridyl)acrolein-rhodamine B (RB-AC) derivative was synthesized and its sensing performance with poly(ethylene glycol) dimethacrylate (PEGDMA) polymer particle was investigated. The prepared β-(2-pyridyl)acrolein-rhodamine B/poly(ethylene glycol)dimethacrylate (PEGDMA/RB-AC) particle was used for sensing of Al3+. The PEGDMA/RB-AC particles showed immediate “off–on” fluorescent responses toward Al3+. The fluorescent response was attributed to the spirolactam ring opening of RB-AC. This sensor particle showed high selectivity towards Al3+ in the presence of other competing metal ions. The sensitivity of PEGDMA/RB-AC particle was demonstrated by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The binding stoichiometry and binding mode of the metal complex was established by Job’s plot and FT-IR spectroscopy.

Keywords

• β-(2-pyridyl)acrolein-rhodamine b derivative
• rhodamine/polymer particles
• aluminium sensing
• fluorescent sensor