A Novel Double Fluorescence-Suppressed Probe for the Detection of Hydrazine

Hydrazine is an important raw material in medicine and chemical industry. However, N2H4 is very harmful to the environment and human body. Therefore, the detection of hydrazine is particularly important. In this report, a new type of fluorescence probe based on synergistic effect was developed for the detection of N2H4. The fluorescence of the probe was doubly inhibited by the PET (photo-induced electron transfer) process and the bridled ESIPT (excited-state intramolecular proton transfer) process. Upon addition of hydrazine, the interrupted PET process and restored ESIPT worked together leading to the fluorescence enhancement. The probe has good specificity for hydrazine. The LOD (limit of detection) was calculated to be 1.45 ppb (0.045 mu M) and the linear range was 0.2-40.0 mu M. The contrast experiment showed that the synergistic effect could improve the sensitivity of the probe to hydrazine. In addition, the probe could be used for the quantitative determination of hydrazine in tap water.