A reversible fluorescent chemosensor for the rapid detection of Hg2+ in an aqueous solution: Its logic gates behavior

Abstract

A new easily available “off-on-off” colorimetric and fluorescent probe (L) was synthesized and it displayed the selective detection towards Hg2+ in aqueous solution over other competing metal ions. In presence of Hg2+, L showed the incredible color and fluorescent response. More interestingly, the color and fluorescence could be recovered upon the addition of EDTA into the L-Hg2+ solution. Moreover, this compound can be efficiently applied to molecular logic functions of OR, AND, NOR and NOT gates through the procured spectral results. Based on the reversible and reproducible switching process, we designed a molecular-scale sequential memory unit exhibits the “Writing-Reading-Erasing-Reading” and “Multi-write” activities in the form of binary logic. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were theoretically supported the photo physical changes. Furthermore, the probe efficacy was studied by monitoring changes in intracellular Hg2+ ions in HeLa cells.