Uncovering an effecient binary system as a chemosensor for visual and fluorescence detection of chromium (VI) in...

There is an urgent requirement for the development of sensitive and quick sensors to monitor chromium (VI) due to its substantial carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. A coexisting system of coumarin 334 and diphenylcarbazide (C334/DPC) was used in this study as a fluorescent chemosensor to detect Cr(VI) ions. Upon the addition of Cr(VI), a purple chelate complex (Cr(III)-diphenylcarbazone) was produced, which resulted from the quantitative reaction between Cr(VI) ions and diphenylcarbazide (DPC), whereas no interaction between Cr(VI) and coumarin 334 took place. More interestingly, the absorption spectra of purple (Cr(III)-diphenylcarbazone) complex (λ_max = 540 nm) were overlapped with emission and excitation spectra of coumarin 334 (λ_ex/em = 453/492), resulting in the efficient quenching of coumarin 334 (C334) via the inner filter effect. Furthermore, the semi-quantitative estimation of Cr(VI) ion concentration may be achieved by visually watching the progressive color transformation of the probe from yellow to red after the addition different concentration of Cr(VI). The calibration plot for determination of Cr(VI) by this method is ranging from 0.048 to 268 μM. DFT calculations were conducted to enrich our understanding about the mechanism of action. This approach demonstrates an excellent selectivity and sensitivity for Cr(VI) including a detection limit of 48 nM. The new sensor was successfully applied to water samples (tap, mineral, and waste waters). The accuracy was confirmed by the atomic absorption spectroscopy.