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A cucurbit[6]uril-based supramolecular assembly as a sensitive fluorescent Sensor for detecting sunset yellow in
Ling Yue1, Yefang Yang1, Shaowen Qie1
1School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Inner Mongolia Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Catalysis, Hohhot 010021, China.
Summary
A new fluorescent material, CB[6]-BTC-Zn, detects the food colorant sunset yellow (SY) with high sensitivity. This material shows promise for developing advanced sensors for food safety applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Supramolecular Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Developing novel materials for sensitive analyte detection is crucial for food safety.
- Supramolecular frameworks offer unique properties for sensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a novel three-dimensional supramolecular framework using cucurbit[6]uril (CB), 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (H3BTC), and Zn(II) ion.
- To evaluate the material's potential as a fluorescent sensor for detecting food colorants, specifically sunset yellow (SY).
Main Methods:
- Solvothermal synthesis of the supramolecular framework CB[6]-BTC-Zn.
- Characterization of the material's structure and fluorescence properties.
- Fluorescent sensing experiments for sunset yellow detection, including mechanism studies (fluorescence resonance energy transfer and photoinduced electron transfer) and anti-interference tests.
- Fabrication of sensing films and LED devices for visual detection.
- Application in real beverage samples.
Main Results:
- Successful construction of the CB[6]-BTC-Zn supramolecular framework with intense blue fluorescence and good aqueous stability.
- Demonstrated efficient turn-off fluorescent sensing of sunset yellow (SY) with a low limit of detection (8.48 × 10⁻⁷ M).
- Exhibited excellent anti-interference capability against common food additives.
- Elucidated the sensing mechanism involving electrostatic enrichment, FRET, and dual-channel PET.
- Achieved visual detection using flexible sensing films and functionalized LED devices, with successful application in beverage samples (95.43-105.62% recovery).
Conclusions:
- The synthesized CB[6]-BTC-Zn material is a highly sensitive and selective fluorescent sensor for sunset yellow.
- The study provides a viable strategy for designing cucurbituril-based functional materials for rapid food colorant monitoring.
- The developed sensing platform holds significant potential for practical applications in food safety analysis.
