A colorimetric and reversible fluorescent chemosensor for Ag+ in aqueous solution and its application in IMPLICATION logic gate

Abstract

In this work, a new phenazine-based derivative (L-1) which based on 2,3-diamino-phenazine and 5-(4-chlorphenyl)-2-furaldehyde was designed to act efficiently in a chemodosimeter approach for the rapid and selective detection of silver ion in aqueous solution over a wide pH range. The addition of Ag+ to an aqueous solution of L-1 induced a change in the solution color from yellow to shallow orange and fluorescent quenching, indicating that L-1 could act as an excellent ON−OFF-type fluorescent chemosensor for Ag+. With a detection limit of 3.25×10−7M, the chemosensor shows great potential to monitor Ag+ in environmental analysis systems. Furthermore, this sensor can serve as a recyclable component in sensing materials. These properties make L-1 act as an accurate Ag+ controlled ON−OFF−ON fluorescence switch and implication (IMP) function logic gate. In addition, the actual usage of sensor L-1 was further demonstrated by test kits and silica gel plates. Notably, the stoichiometry of the complexes between the sensor and Ag+ is indicative of a 2:1 ratio which was determined by a Job's plot yielded from fluorescence titrations. And the mode of interaction between Ag+ ions and L-1 has been supported by 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry studies.