A naphthalimide functionalized chitosan-based fluorescent probe for specific detection and efficient adsorption of Cu2+

As one of the most abundant metal ions, Cu2+ has turned into a great threat to human health and the natural environment due to its widely utilized in various industries. In this paper, a chitosan-based fluorescent probe CTS-NA-HY for detection and adsorption of Cu2+ was rationally prepared. CTS-NA-HY exhibited a specific turn off fluorescence response to Cu2+ and the fluorescence color changed from bright yellow to colorless. It possessed satisfactory detection performance to Cu2+ including good selectivity and anti-interference, low detection limit (29 nM) and wide pH range (4-9). The detection mechanism was confirmed by Job's plot, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FT-IR and 1H NMR analysis. Additionally, the probe CTS-NA-HY was capacity of determining Cu2+ in environmental water and soil samples. Besides, CTS-NA-HY-based hydrogel could also remove Cu2+ in aqueous solution effectively, which the ability of adsorption was greatly improved compared with original chitosan hydrogel.

Automated summary

In order to address the issue of Cu2+ posing a threat to human health and the natural environment due to its widespread use in various industries, researchers have developed a chitosan-based fluorescent probe CTS-NA-HY for the detection and adsorption of Cu2+. CTS-NA-HY showed a specific turn off fluorescence response to Cu2+ and changed color from bright yellow to colorless. It demonstrated good selectivity and anti-interference, a low detection limit (29 nM), and a wide pH range (4-9) for Cu2+. Furthermore, the probe was capable of determining Cu2+ in environmental water and soil samples.