A DIE responsive fluorescent probe for phthalate and its application in test paper and hydrogel detection platforms

Area of Science:

• Environmental Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Phthalates are priority environmental contaminants with endocrine-disrupting effects, necessitating advanced monitoring techniques.
• Existing optical probes for phthalates face challenges in design and practical application due to suspension-based methods.
• Developing sensitive and easily deployable detection systems for phthalates is crucial for environmental safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To engineer a novel amphiphilic BODIPY derivative (BOD-Bea) for sensitive dipentyl phthalate (DPP) detection.
• To investigate the disaggregation-induced emission (DIE) mechanism for enhanced optical sensing of DPP.
• To develop instrument-free solid-state sensors for rapid, on-site phthalate monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of an amphiphilic BODIPY derivative (BOD-Bea) that self-assembles into non-fluorescent aggregates.
• Utilizing the disaggregation-induced emission (DIE) mechanism upon DPP binding to induce fluorescence and absorption changes.
• Fabrication of test paper and hydrogel solid sensors for practical DPP detection.

Main Results:

• BOD-Bea exhibits significant fluorescence and absorption enhancements upon DPP binding, with linear correlations observed from 0-26 µM.
• Low limits of detection (LOD) were achieved: 0.11 µM for fluorescence and 1.24 µM for absorption.
• The probe demonstrated specific DPP recognition via synergistic π-π stacking and hydrophobic interactions.
• Successful quantification of DPP in real water samples with good recoveries was achieved.
• Instrument-free solid sensors (test paper, hydrogel) were successfully fabricated for rapid DPP monitoring.

Conclusions:

• The engineered BOD-Bea probe effectively detects DPP using the DIE mechanism, overcoming limitations of previous methods.
• The developed solid sensors offer a rapid, sensitive, and instrument-free approach for on-site phthalate monitoring.
• This strategy provides a molecular design foundation for advanced environmental contaminant detection systems.