The detection of multiple analytes by using visual colorimetric and fluorometric multimodal chemosensor based on the azo dye

Abstract

In recent decades, researchers have conducted in-depth studies of the design and synthesis of colorimetric/fluorometric probes and the application of such probes to biological and practical samples. The multifunctional colorimetric and fluorescent azo benzene-based probe (4′-hydroxyl-2,4-diaminoazobenzene, MP) was designed to detect Al3+, Fe3+, Cu2+ and F¯. Based on the distinct redshift of the absorption band and a significant color change (yellow → purple), MP was utilized for both naked-eyed and quantitative detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ after formation of the 1:1 complex. Test paper coated with MP and used in conjunction with a cell phone was used for colorimetric detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ ions (20 μM–2.0 mM) in water samples through naked-eye and digital image colorimetry. The “MP-Fe3+” coordination shift that occurs in the presence of the competitive ligand F¯ was used in the colorimetric measurement of F¯ in toothpaste. In the presence of Cu2+ ion, the non-emissive MP has transformed into fluorescent benzotriazole product PMP (Φ = 0.53) through the bimolecular rate-limiting step, and the second-order rate constant k is calculated as 31 ± 2 M−1 s−1. MP exhibits a “turn-on” fluorescence response in the presence of Cu2+ that is greater than its response in the presence of competitive species such as Fe3+, Al3+, Co2+, Fe2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Mg2+, Mn2+, Ni2+ and Ag+. MP was shown to have low toxicity to living HeLa cells and to present good imaging characteristics for tracking of Cu2+ in vivo.

Keywords

• Fluorometric
• Colorimetric
• Multi-analytes
• Ortho-amino azobenzene