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An efficient ethylcellulose fluorescent probe for rapid detection of Fe3+ and its multi-functional applications
Yangmei Wu1, Zhiyuan Meng1, Fei Zhao1
1Co-Innovation Center of Efficient Processing and Utilization of Forest Resources, International Innovation Center for Forest Chemicals and Materials, College of Light Industry and Food, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China.
Abstract:
Fe3+ is the most abundant essential transition metal ion in the human body, plays a vital role in biological and environmental systems. Ethyl cellulose is one of the derivatives of cellulose. Herein, a novel ethylcellulose fluorescent probe EC-HPCB for detecting Fe3+ was prepared by grafting a flavonol derivative as both fluorophore and selective recognition group. The probe exhibited a highly specific "turn-off" fluorescence response to Fe3+, and the fluorescence color changed from yellow to colorless in the presence of Fe3+. The detection limit of EC-HPCB for Fe3+ was 2.65 × 10-7 mol/L, and the response time was as quick as 2 min. The detection mechanism was confirmed by 1H NMR and DFT calculations. Based on the good solubility and processability in organic solvent, EC-HPCB was made into coating and film with favorable fluorescent performances. Furthermore, EC-HPCB probe was successfully applied to monitor Fe3+ in real water samples, and the EC-HPCB-loaded filter paper provided a solid-state platform for detecting Fe3+ by naked eye and fluorescence method.
