A Selective Turn off Fluorescence Sensor Based on Propranolol-SDS Assemblies for Fe³⁺ Detection

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Developing selective and sensitive methods for detecting metal ions in aqueous solutions is crucial for environmental monitoring and chemical analysis.
• Fluorescent probes offer advantages in sensitivity and real-time detection capabilities for metal ion sensing.
• Propranolol (PPH) and sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) are known compounds with potential for chemical sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel sensor system for the selective and sensitive detection of Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous environments.
• To investigate the modulation of fluorophore properties by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) assemblies for enhanced metal ion sensing.
• To evaluate the performance of the developed sensor in terms of sensitivity, selectivity, and detection limits.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing propranolol (PPH) as a fluorescent probe modulated by sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) assemblies.
• Employing fluorescence spectroscopy (steady-state and lifetime) to study the interaction between the sensor and Fe³⁺ ions.
• Applying Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to assess the sensor's ability to discriminate Fe³⁺ from other metal ions.

Main Results:

• The PPH-SDS sensor ensemble demonstrated high sensitivity towards Fe³⁺ ions with detection limits below 3 μM.
• The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity, effectively distinguishing Fe³⁺ from a range of other common metal ions (e.g., Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺).
• Electrostatic interactions between SDS and Fe³⁺ ions were identified as the mechanism responsible for fluorescence quenching.

Conclusions:

• The PPH-SDS sensor system provides a robust and effective platform for the selective and sensitive detection of Fe³⁺ ions in aqueous solutions.
• This approach offers a promising tool for environmental monitoring and analytical applications requiring accurate quantification of Fe³⁺.
• The study highlights the potential of surfactant-modulated fluorophores for developing advanced chemical sensors.