Dual-emissive EY/UiO-66-NH2 as a ratiometric probe for turn-on sensing and cell imaging of hypochlorite

Hypochlorite plays a vital role in biological systems and our daily life. The rapid and convenient detection of hypochlorite is imperative and significant for disease treatment and human health. In this work, EY/UiO-66-NH2 (EY = eosin Y) was prepared through a hydrothermal process and could be applied to the detection and bioimaging of hypochlorite as a self-calibrating sensing nanoprobe. EY/UiO-66-NH2 features two emissions at 432 nm and 533 nm, and the emission intensity of 533 nm is enhanced with increasing ClO- concentration. EY/UiO-66-NH2 could be utilized as a ratiometric fluorescence sensor of ClO-. The linear range of EY/UiO-66-NH2 towards ClO- is 0.1-200 mu M and its detection limit is 46.4 nM. In comparison with previously reported probes for ClO-, EY/UiO-66-NH2 has the advantages of a wide linear range, low detection limit, turn-on fluorescence and ratiometric response. This work provides a new method for ClO- detection in living cells.

Automated summary

Hypochlorite plays an important role in biological systems and daily life. A new method for the detection of hypochlorite in living cells was developed using EY/UiO-66-NH2 as a self-calibrating sensing nanoprobe. The EY/UiO-66-NH2 probe exhibited a wide linear range, low detection limit, turn-on fluorescence, and ratiometric response, making it advantageous over previously reported probes.