A dual-functional chemosensor for fluorescent on-off and ratiometric detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ and its application in cell imaging

A dual-functional chemosensor BHMB was synthesized and characterized. It showed highly selectivity through significant fluorescence turn-off and obvious color change towards Cu2+ and Hg2+, respectively. The binding ratios of BHMB to Cu2+ and He2+ confirmed by job' plot were 2:1 and 1:1, respectively. Moreover, the detection of limit of BHMB to Cu2+ and He2+ was confirmed as 4.47 x 10(-8)M and 6.72 x 10(-7)M, respectively. Especially, BHMB was successfully used in test paper for fast identification of Cu2+ and Hg2+, logic gate construction and cell imaging in human stromal cell (HSC).