An aqueous room-temperature phosphorescent probe for Gd³

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) is a sensitive detection method.
• Detecting phosphors in aerated aqueous solutions is challenging due to oxygen quenching.
• Gadolinium (Gd³⁺) has unique properties but requires specific detection methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an aqueous room-temperature phosphorescent probe for selective Gadolinium (Gd³⁺) ion detection.
• To address the limitations of current phosphors in oxygenated aqueous environments.
• To leverage Gd³⁺-induced effects for enhanced phosphorescence.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Gd³⁺/AMP/fluorescein coordination polymer nanoparticles (CPNs).
• Investigation of Gd³⁺-induced intersystem promoting effect.
• Evaluation of the oxygen-shielding property of the CPNs in aqueous solution.
• Testing the selectivity and sensitivity of the probe for Gd³⁺ detection.

Main Results:

• The developed CPNs exhibit room-temperature phosphorescence in an aqueous solution.
• Gd³⁺ ions effectively induce an intersystem promoting effect, enhancing phosphorescence.
• The CPNs demonstrate an oxygen-shielding property, maintaining phosphorescence in aerated conditions.
• Selective and sensitive detection of Gd³⁺ was achieved.

Conclusions:

• An effective aqueous RTP probe for Gd³⁺ detection was successfully developed.
• The probe utilizes Gd³⁺-induced intersystem promotion and oxygen-shielding mechanisms.
• This work advances RTP detection capabilities in challenging aerated aqueous environments.