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Cellulose-based colorimetric/ratiometric fluorescence sensor for visual detecting amines and anti-counterfeiting
Cuihuan Li1, Yuan He2, Jiankang Zhang2
1State Key Laboratory of Efficient Production of Forest Resources, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Lignocellulosic Chemistry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
Carbohydrate Polymers
|September 3, 2024
Summary
A new cellulose-based sensor detects toxic amines using dual-mode colorimetric and fluorescent signals. This innovative material offers visual detection and classification of various amines, enhancing environmental and health safety.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Toxic amines pose significant risks to ecological systems and human health, necessitating reliable detection methods.
- Existing detection techniques may lack the sensitivity, specificity, or visual accessibility required for widespread application.
- Cellulose-based materials offer a sustainable and versatile platform for developing advanced sensing technologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel dual-mode sensor for the visual detection and classification of hazardous amines.
- To utilize cellulose as a backbone for creating a processable and formable amine sensing material.
- To explore the potential of this sensor in applications beyond detection, such as anti-counterfeiting and information encryption.
Main Methods:
- A "negative response" indicator (luminol-MDI-cellulose acetate, Lum-MDI-CA) and a "positive response" indicator (perylene tetracarboxylic acid, PTCA) were synthesized.
- Lum-MDI-CA was prepared by immobilizing luminol onto cellulose chains, exhibiting blue fluorescence quenched by amines.
- A dual-mode sensor was created by mixing Lum-MDI-CA and PTCA, enabling colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescent detection.
Main Results:
- The dual-mode sensor demonstrated distinct visual color changes under UV light and daylight upon exposure to different amines (ammonia, morpholine, benzylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine).
- A proposed mechanism involving intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) explains the fluorescence quenching of Lum-MDI-CA.
- The cellulose acetate backbone allowed the sensor to be processed into various forms (inks, coatings, films, fibers) while retaining fluorescence properties.
Conclusions:
- The developed cellulose-based dual-mode sensor provides an effective platform for the visual detection and classification of toxic amines.
- The sensor's excellent processability and formability open avenues for its application in anti-counterfeiting and information encryption.
- This work highlights the potential of cellulose as a sustainable material for advanced fluorescent sensors.
