A new reversible fluorescent chemosensor based on rhodamine for rapid detection of Al(III) in natural environmental water samples and living organisms

A fluorescence sensor RBKB with high selectivity and sensitivity to Al3+ was designed and synthesized. UV-Vis and fluorescence spectra showed that the probe had a good response to Al3+ in EtOH/H2O (1:1, v/v) solution and the response time is very short. The process of detecting Al3+ is accompanied by the probe solution changing from colorless to pink, which has a good visual effect. The reversible type of the probe and Al3+ was confirmed by adding EDTA. Meanwhile, the probe has a low detection limit of 0.177 mu M. In addition, the probe can be used for the detection of Al3+ in actual environmental water samples with a high recovery rate. It is worth mentioning that RBKB can be used to detect Al3+ in living cells, zebrafish, and plant tissues, which has high biological significance. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.