A novel dual-functional half salamo-based fluorescent turn-on sensor for selectively recognition and differentiation of Zn2+ and Al3+ ions

Efficient detection of cationic pollutants released into the environment has become a matter of necessity and challenging task for the health of human beings. To address this, a novel half salamo-based fluorescent sensor JQS was developed and the sensing behavior toward various metal ions was comprehensively studied. The spectroscopic results demonstrated a prominent fluorescence enhancement upon Zn2+ and Al3+ ions were introduced into the sensor solution, and the response occurred at different emission wavelengths (451 nm for Zn2+, 426 nm for Al3+) with different colors, which could be easily distinguished by naked-eye. Various experimental analyses combined with theoretical calculation, the sensing mechanism was proposed. The selective recognition of Zn2+ and Al3+ by JQS was achieved through coordination binding, which leads to the inhibits of photoinduced electronic transfer effect and chelation enhanced fluorescent process. The detection limits of JQS toward Zn2+ and Al3+ were separately calculated to be 0.21 & 0.097 μM. Additionally, the sensing of Zn2+ & Al3+ in real water samples proved its potential for practical utility.