Dual functional chemosensor for nano-level detection of Al3+ and Cu2+: Application to real samples analysis, colorimetric test strips and molecular logic gates

A new thiophenecarbohydrazide Schiff-base as dual-functional chemosensor TSC was developed for nano-level detection of Al3+ and Cu2+ in -100% aqueous solution with quite low detection limits of 9.98 nM and 14.3 nM, respectively. Chemosensor TSC showed discriminative sensing behaviors to Al3+ and Cu2+ with different response mechanisms, allowing the high selectivity monitoring of Al3+ and Cu2+. The TSC for selective sensing of Al3+ with turn-on strong blue fluorescence, and Cu2+ with a distinct colorimetric change from colorless to yellow and a notable turn-off fluorescence. The chemosensor TSC exhibits excellent sensitivity and selectivity, ultra-fast reaction rate (15 s), wide pH response ranges (Al3+: 3-11; Cu2+: 1-14), high reversibility and excellent reusability (Al3+: 5 cycles, Cu2+: 4 cycles) for simultaneous sensing of Al3+ and Cu2+. These good sensing performances further demonstrated that chemosensor TSC had potential applications and could be utilized to detect Al3+ and Cu2+ in real environmental and food samples analysis, test strips and molecular logic gates.

Automated summary

A new chemosensor TSC has been developed for nano-level detection of Al3+ and Cu2+ in aqueous solution. The sensor exhibited different sensing behaviors to Al3+ and Cu2+, allowing high selectivity monitoring. It showed excellent sensitivity and selectivity, fast reaction rate, wide pH response ranges, and high reversibility for simultaneous sensing of Al3+ and Cu2+.