A dual functional fluorescent probe based on naphthalimide for detecting Cu2+ and pH and its applications

Abstract

Cu2+ and pH play a key role in life systems and it is necessary to develop an effective detection method. In view of the significant advantages of the fluorescent probe, we have synthesized a dual functional fluorescent probe NCNB based on naphthalimide for detecting Cu2+ and pH. The probe NCNB is sensitive (LOD = 44.8 nM) and fast for Cu2+ (within 150 s). It can be used not only for qualitative and quantitative detection of Cu2+ in actual water samples, but also for making pH fluorescent test paper with good effect. In addition, the probe NCNB has been successfully used for imaging detection of exogenous Cu2+ in Caco-2 cells with low toxicity.