Synthesis of novel benzothiazole based fluorescent and redox-active organic nanoparticles for their application as selective and sensitive recognition of Fe3+ ions

Abstract

A novel benzothiazole based compound (1) has been synthesized and further employed for the fabrication of fluorescent as well as redox active organic nanoparticles (1-ONPs) by adopting a nano-re-precipitation method. The formation of 1-ONPs was confirmed by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques, where the size was found to be ~42.84 nm in the optimized conditions. The resulting 1-ONPs acted as selective and sensitive sensor for recognition of Fe3+ ions in dual transduction mode. The nanoparticles underwent quenching of fluorescence intensity as well as an amplified stripping current response in the presence of Fe3+. The high surface charge density worked as a tool for enhancing the current response of nanoparticles over bulk solution mode and hence is extended to in-field analysis.