Smartphone coupled, solution, solid and vapour phase sensing of nerve agent mimic by 1,8-naphthalimide derived Schiff base

Abstract

A 1,8-naphthalimide based Schiff base, SAL, comprising of n-butyl-1,8-naphthalimide and 2-hydroxysalicyaldehyde as fluorophore and receptor units, respectively, has been utilized for the efficient detection of nerve agent mimic, diethyl chlorophosphate (DCP). Upon interaction with DCP, blue shift in the UV–vis band and enhancement in emission peak of SAL was observed with detection limit of 15.4 µM based on fluorescence titration data. The sensor was capable to selectively detect various concentrations of DCP by naked eye as well as fluorescent color change in solid, solution and vapour phase in the presence of stockpile of other competitive analytes. Further, the colorimetric changes were coupled with the smartphone via a color detector app for the cost-effective, convenient and on-site detection of DCP.

Keywords

• 1,8-naphthalimide
• Nerve agent mimic
• DCP
• Paper strips
• Fluorescence turn-on