Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026
IridiumIII Luminescent Probe for Detection of the Malarial Protein Biomarker Histidine Rich Protein-II
Published on: July 7, 2015
A highly selective fluorescent probe for Cu2+ based on rhodamine B derivative
Junhong Xu1, Yimin Hou2, Qiujuan Ma2
1Department of Dynamical Engineering, North China University of Water Resources and Electric Power, Zhengzhou 450011, China; School of Pharmacology, Henan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou 450046, China.
A novel rhodamine B-based fluorescent probe (probe 1) enables sensitive and selective detection of copper ions (Cu2+). This probe exhibits a significant fluorescence enhancement and visible color change, proving useful for environmental and biological applications.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Copper ions (Cu2+) play crucial roles in biological processes but elevated levels can be toxic.
- Accurate and sensitive detection methods for Cu2+ are essential for environmental monitoring and biological studies.
- Existing detection methods may lack sensitivity, selectivity, or practicality for real-world applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and synthesize a novel fluorescent probe for the sensitive and selective detection of copper ions (Cu2+).
- To investigate the photophysical properties and response mechanism of the probe upon binding with Cu2+.
- To evaluate the probe's applicability in real environmental samples and biological imaging.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of a rhodamine B derivative as a fluorescent probe (probe 1).
- Spectroscopic analysis (fluorescence and UV-Vis) to study the probe's response to Cu2+.
- Evaluation of selectivity against various metal ions and determination of detection limits.
- Application of the probe for Cu2+ detection in river water samples and live cell imaging.
Main Results:
- Probe 1 demonstrated a high sensitivity to Cu2+ with a 37-fold fluorescence enhancement.
- A visible color change from colorless to pink was observed upon Cu2+ binding.
- The probe exhibited a wide linear response range (8.0×10(-7) to 1.0×10(-4) mol/L) and a low detection limit (3.0×10(-7) mol/L).
- Probe 1 showed high selectivity for Cu2+ over other common metal ions, except for Co2+.
- Successful application in direct measurement of Cu2+ in river water and imaging in living cells.
Conclusions:
- The developed rhodamine B-based probe offers a sensitive, selective, and visual method for Cu2+ detection.
- The probe's reversible dual chromo- and fluorogenic response is attributed to chelation-induced spirolactam ring-opening.
- The probe's practical utility is validated through environmental water sample analysis and biological imaging.
- This probe represents a valuable tool for environmental monitoring and biomedical research involving copper ions.
