A novel dual-responsive colorimetric/fluorescent probe for the detection of N2H4 and ClO− and its application in environmental analysis and bioimaging

Hydrazine (N2H4) and hypochlorite (ClO−) are both reactive chemical substances extensively utilized across various industrial domains. Excessive hydrazine (N2H4) and hypochlorite (ClO−) can pose significant risks to the environment, ecosystems, and human health. In order to assess and control the environmental hazard caused by N2H4 and ClO−, there is an imperative need for efficient methods capable of rapid and precise detection of these contaminants. This paper introduces a novel dual-responsive colorimetric/fluorescent probe (MDT) for the detection of N2H4 and ClO− in environmental and biological samples. The probe exhibits turn-on fluorescent responses to N2H4 or ClO− with low detection limits (N2H4: 8 nM; ClO−: 15 nM), large Stokes shifts (N2H4: 175 nm; ClO−: 203 nm), short response time (N2H4: 4 min; ClO−: 5 s) and broad pH range (5−10). In practical applications, MDT has been successfully employed in detecting N2H4 and ClO− in water and soil samples from diverse locations. Test strips loaded with MDT offer a visual and convenient means to track N2H4 vapor and quantify N2H4 and ClO− concentrations in solutions. Finally, MDT has been utilized for sensing N2H4 and ClO− in Arabidopsis thaliana roots and living zebrafish. This study presents a promising tool for monitoring N2H4 and ClO− in the environment and living organisms.