Solid-state brightness and Al3+ ions-triggered flower-shaped nano-luminogen for cascade detection of Al3+ and PO43− ions

Abstract

Solid-state photoluminescence materials have come out as an emergent material for their versatile optoelectronic applications. In the present contribution, a novel fluorescent probe, HMNS has been introduced which exhibits bright orange color photoluminescence when exposed to a 365 nm UV lamp and with a few drops of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), it can be used as photoluminescence security ink. Further, HMNS is utilized for quickly and accurately detecting Al3+ ions in a water-DMSO (1:1, v/v) media displaying Al3+ ions-triggered aggregation-induced emission (AIE). Scanning electron microscopy and dynamics light scattering investigations revealed that HMNS from Al3+ ions triggered flower-shaped nano-luminogen. Probe HMNS can detect Al3+ ions within μM range and also the probe binds with Al3+ ions under physiological pH. The reaction time to Al3+ ions is only a few minutes (around 6–7 min). The development of J-aggregates and chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) in the water-DMSO (1:1, v/v) media may be responsible for the AIE behavior. Additionally, using the Al3+ ions triggered HMNS nano-luminogen could be used as a "marker-ink" which could be used as printing material to decipher secret data under UV light. Also, to determine its reversibility and reusability, the tested paper was washed with a PO43− ions solution. A notable decrease in the code's intensity indicates that this material can be used repeatedly. Moreover, the probe is suitable for on-site identification when employed in test strips with better Al3+ ions selectivity. We have also used a smartphone-based method to demonstrate the usefulness of HMNS for the immediate quantification and detection of Al3+ ions. In light of this, probe HMNS is a trustworthy on-site monitoring fluorescence probe that can accurately identify Al3+ and PO43− ions successively even when some other metals and anions compete.