A new rhodamine 6G based chemosensor for trace level Al3+ and its thin film application in 100% aqueous medium

In this paper, a novel fluorescent probe based on a rhodamine 6 G derivative (RG-HN) was designed and synthesized for the recognition of Al3+. The synthesized RG-HN showed high selectivity towards Al3+ in CH3CN in the presence of other competitive metal ions. The addition of Al3+ into RG-HN led to a visible color change and an off-on fluorescence change due to the opening of the spirolactam ring. The detection limit was calculated based on 3 delta/k and found to be 2.6 x 10(-8) M. The Jobs plot and LCMS spectrum clearly suggested the formation of a 2:1 complex of RG-HN with Al3+. Further, RG-HN thin films were prepared and used as probes for the detection of Al3+ in completely aqueous media. RG-HN thin film showed a visible color change after immersing in Al3+ in water. Changes in the morphology of the RG-HN thin film upon sensing of Al3+ were studied by scanning electron microscopy. ((c)) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.