Water-soluble fluorescent chemosensor based on Schiff base derivative terminated PEG for highly efficient detection of Al3+ in pure aqueous media

Schiff base derivative terminated PEG (PEGESB) was synthesized and applied as fluorescent chemosensor in pure aqueous media. PEGESB exhibited excellent selectivity and anti-interference ability for Al3+ with naked eye fluorescence color change from colorless to bright cyan. The detection limit of PEGESB for Al3+ was determined to be as low as 2.93 x 10(-9) M. PEGESB was stable and could effectively detect Al3+ over a wide pH range from 5 to 10. PEGESB was proved to be a reversible fluorescent chemosensor upon alternate addition of Al3+ and EDTA to PEGESB aqueous solution. The fluorescence response of PEGESB solution to Al3+ and EDTA was applied to build an INHIBIT logic gate. In addition, test papers coated with PEGESB were facilely prepared for on-site sensing of Al3+ in real water samples. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.