HCl Buffer Solution Research Articles

Bioactive glass–ceramics containing fluorapatite, xonotlite, cuspidine and wollastonite form apatite faster than their corresponding glasses

Crystallisation of bioactive glasses has been claimed to negatively affect the ion release from bioactive glasses. Here, we compare ion release and mineralisation in Tris–HCl buffer solution for a series of glass–ceramics and their parent glasses in the system SiO2–CaO–P2O5–CaF2. Time-resolved X-ray diffraction analysis of glass–ceramic degradation, including quantification of crystal fractions by full pattern refinement, show that the glass–ceramics precipitated apatite faster than the corresponding glasses, in agreement with faster ion release from the glass–ceramics. Imaging by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray nano-computed tomography suggest that this accelerated degradation may be caused by the presence of nano-sized channels along the internal crystal/glassy matrix interfaces. In addition, the presence of crystalline fluorapatite in the glass–ceramics facilitated apatite nucleation and crystallisation during immersion. These results suggest that the popular view of bioactive glass crystallisation being a disadvantage for degradation, apatite formation and, subsequently, bioactivity may depend on the actual system study and, thus, has to be reconsidered.

Controlled Release of Aspirin in the Body using Pectin-coated ZIF-8 Nanoparticles.

Zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) play a crucial role among metalorganic frameworks due to their highly desirable properties, including high surface area, appropriate pore size, and excellent thermal and chemical stability. In this study, ZIF-8 loaded with aspirin and coated using pectin (ZIF-8/Asp@Pectin) was utilized as a suitable and effective platform for the drug delivery system. The preparation of this coated MOF followed environmentally friendly methods, and aspirin was successfully loaded. Characterization of the obtained ZIF-8/Asp@Pectin was performed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and BET analysis. The release of aspirin from ZIF-8/Asp@Pectin was studied using UV-Vis spectroscopy at 258 nm under in vitro conditions in HCl and PBS buffer solutions.

Ceftazidime Dosage Investigation using Differential Pulse Polarography for Pharmaceuticals

An accurate direct DPP identification of ceftazidime has been made for use in drug discovery and validation. The results showed that a mercury drop of 3 mm3, an acidic medium consisting of a KH phthalate plus HCl buffer solution at pH 2, and 1 ml of NH4Cl, 1 M as a supporting electrolyte were optimal for ceftazidime analysis.Ceftazidime exhibited two peaks, the first at - 0.67V and the second at - 1.06V. For the determination of an unknown concentration, a standard graph of ceftazidime in concentrations ranging from 8.410-6 M to 2.610-5 M was developed. The reliability and accuracy of this technique for analysing the analyte were assessed. For ceftazidime laboratory samples, the SD was 0.1885 and the RSD% did not go above 4.573% at a concentration of 4.6 μg.ml-1, 8.410-6 M, and at a concentration of 8.5 μg.ml-1, 1.510-5 M, the SD was 0.35645 and the RSD% did not go over 4.345%. The peak potential Ep, and the actual number of electrons required for the reduction of ceftazidime are both calculated using the Ilkovic-Heyrovsky equation. The data show that ceftazidime requires five electrons for the reduction reaction to occur. The method has been successfully used to get ceftazidime on the market.Keywords: Ceftazidime, DPP, Analysis.

Borosilicate sol–gel bioactive glasses and the effect of borate content on structure-property relationships

AbstractBorate-doped silicate glasses with chemical compositions of (70 − x)SiO2–xB2O3–30CaO (x = 0, 5, 15, and 25, in mol%) were synthesized using the sol–gel method, intended to be used in tissue regeneration. The effects of borate content on the glass surface morphology, chemical structure, ion dissolution behavior, and fibroblast compatibility were investigated. 11B magic angle spinning-solid state nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectra demonstrated that borate, in the glasses, possessed both three- and four-coordinated structures. From nitrogen sorption, the specific surface area of the glasses decreased with increased borate content and calcination temperature, from 600 °C to 700 °C. In the case of glasses undergoing calcination at 700 °C, silicate and calcium ion released in a Tris–HCl buffer solution (pH = 7.4) at the early stage of the immersion test decreased as borate content increased. The decrease in surface area caused by stabilizing at 700 °C due to the effect of increasing borate concentration controlled the ion dissolution behavior of the glasses. The proliferation ability of fibroblasts cultured with the dissolution products of the glasses were improved as borate content increased in the glass composition. Graphical Abstract

Lysosome-Targeting Fluorescence Sensor for Sequential Detection and Imaging of Cu2+ and Homocysteine in Living Cells.

A conjugated polymer-based fluorescence sensor, namely, PTNPy, was constructed on the basis of a polythiophene scaffold coupled with dimethylpyridylamine (DPA) groups in side chains for the consecutive detection and quantification of Cu2+ and Hcy in a perfect aqueous medium. A dramatic fluorescence quenching of PTNPy by the addition of Cu2+ was observed in Tris–HCl buffer solution (2 mM, pH 7.4), demonstrating a quick (<1 min) and highly selective response to Cu2+ with a low limit of detection of 6.79 nM. Subsequently, the Cu2+-quenched fluorescence of PTNPy can be completely recovered by homocysteine (Hcy), showing excellent selectivity to Hcy over other competitive species such as cysteine and glutathione. Thanks to the low cytotoxicity and lysosomal targeting ability of PTNPy, it was further applied as an optical sensor for the sequential imaging of Cu2+ and Hcy in HeLa cells. More importantly, Hcy concentration was linearly related to the fluorescence intensity of PTNPy in living cells, demonstrating huge potential for real-time monitoring the fluctuation of Hcy levels in living cells.

Metal nanoparticles market worth $4.2 bn by 2026

Bone reconstruction after tissue loosening due to traumatic, pathological or surgical causes is in increasing demand. 3D scaffolds are a widely studied solution for supporting new bone growth. Bioactive glass–ceramic porous materials can offer a three-dimensional structure that is able to chemically bond to bone. The ability to surface modify these devices by grafting biologically active molecules represents a challenge, with the aim of stimulating physiological bone regeneration with both inorganic and organic signals. In this research work glass ceramic scaffolds with very high mechanical properties and moderate bioactivity have been functionalized with the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The material surface was activated in order to expose hydroxyl groups. The activated surface was further grafted with ALP both via silanization and also via direct grafting to the surface active hydroxyl groups.Enzymatic activity of grafted samples were measured by means of UV–vis spectroscopy before and after ultrasonic washing in TRIS–HCl buffer solution. In vitro inorganic bioactivity was investigated by soaking the scaffolds after the different steps of functionalization in a simulated body fluid (SBF). SEM observations allowed the monitoring of the scaffold morphology and surface chemical composition after soaking in SBF. The presence of ALP enhanced the in vitro inorganic bioactivity of the tested material.

Optical pH sensor based on polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) pectin-chitosan/methanol anthocyanin extract of Catharanthus roseus for a new optical urea biosensor development

Construction of optical pH sensor as a new platform optical urea biosensor based on polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) pectin-chitosan membrane and total phenolic (anthocyanin) of Tapak Dara flower (Catharanthus roseus) has been successfully carried out. The anthocyanin was extracted by a maceration method for 72 hours using methanol, and a total extract yield was 21.56% or 1.803 mg/L. Flavonoid and phenol tests showed positive results indicated by the formation of red and black colours. The anthocyanins showed maximum absorption at 578 nm for phosphate buffer and 575 nm for tris HCl buffer solution. The sensor fabrication was performed using a mixture of pectin and chitosan solutions with a ratio of 3:7. The anthocyanin was mixed into the solution with various concentrations. The sensor has an optimum sensitivity at the anthocyanin concentration of 0.05 mg/L (phosphate buffer) in the pH range of 7.0-9.5 and 0.025 mg/L (Tris HCl buffer) with a narrower pH range of 6.0-7.5. This sensor produced higher sensitivity, a wider linear range, and good linearity when it was exposed in 0.03M PBS. Reproducibility test with a relative standard deviation percentage (% RSD) was 9.20. The sensor showed a stable response after 5 minutes exposed to PBS solution, and it can be used to measure pH within the 20th day. The optimized optical pH sensor has been successfully developed as a urea optical biosensor by immobilizing urease on its surface. The biosensor showed a linear response in a series of 10-1-10-10 M urea concentrations and has good linearity.

Feasibility of multifunction calibration of H+-responsive glass electrodes in seawater (IUPAC Technical Report)

Abstract Seawater pH values are of the highest relevance in marine chemistry studies, not only through being acidity indicators but also due to the control provided by H+(aq) over the various simultaneous equilibria occurring in seawater. Although the concept of p H = − l g a H + = − lg ( m H + γ H + / m 0 ) $\mathrm{p}\mathrm{H}=-\mathrm{l}\mathrm{g}{\mathit{a}}_{{\mathrm{H}}^{+}}=-\mathrm{lg}\left({\mathit{m}}_{{\mathrm{H}}^{+}}{\mathit{\gamma }}_{{\mathrm{H}}^{+}}/{\mathit{m}}^{0}\right)$ , where m H + ${m}_{{\text{H}}^{+}}$ is the relative (molality basis) activity, γ H + ${\gamma }_{{\text{H}}^{+}}$ is the molal activity coefficient of the hydrogen ion H+ at molality m H + ${m}_{{\text{H}}^{+}}$ , and m 0 is the standard molality, was introduced in 1910 and reaffirmed on successive occasions by relevant bodies, different conceptual definitions and alternative measurement procedures have been adopted and are in use by some, namely among oceanographers, often leading to confusion. This leads to major difficulties with the use of data, e.g., on what concerns comparison of results in space and time. Primary pH values, the highest quality level in terms of the metrological chain, have been assigned to primary reference pH buffer solutions of low ionic strength, by a primary method based on measurements of the Harned cell potential in association with the Nernst equation, as well as on the adoption of extra-thermodynamic model assumptions for electrolyte solutions. Although equivalent types of recommendations dealing with standards and procedures based on metrological traceability are still lacking for higher ionic strength media, as it is in the case of seawater, reference Tris–Tris·HCl buffer solutions in artificial seawater have been suggested for use in the calibration of pH meter systems. In this work, Tris–Tris·HCl buffer saline solutions of three different molality ratios mTris:mTris.HCl, m/mol kg−1 H2O, have been assigned reference values for free p H = − lg a H + $\mathrm{p}\mathrm{H}=-\mathrm{lg}\,{a}_{{\text{H}}^{+}}$ and total pH T = − lg ( m H + * / m 0 ) ${\mathrm{pH}}^{\mathrm{T}}=-\text{lg}\left({m}_{{\text{H}}^{+}}^{\text{{\ast}}}/{m}^{0}\right)$ , where m 0 = 1 mol kg−1 and m H + * = lim m → m SW [ m ( H + ) + m ( HSO 4 − ) ] ${m}_{{\text{H}}^{+}}^{\text{{\ast}}}=\underset{m\to {m}_{\text{SW}}}{\mathrm{lim}}\left[m\left({\mathrm{H}}^{\mathrm{+}}\right)+m\left({\mathrm{HSO}}_{4}^{\mathbf{-}}\right)\right]$ . Multi-point calibration of pH meters in terms of either pH or pHT is thus possible and supports measurement of their respective values under routine conditions at a high metrological level.

Influence of Activators and Inhibitors on the Collagenase with Collagen Interaction Monitored by Dynamic Light Scattering in Solutions

Real–time digestion of type I collagen molecules by bacterial collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum has been monitored using Dynamic Light Scattering method. Time dependencies for translation diffusion coefficient (Dt) and hydrodynamic radius (RH) on were obtained for pure “collagen + collagenase” Tris–HCl buffer solution at different temperatures and for solutions with added CaCl2, ZnCl2 and MgCl2 and EDTA. It was shown that digestion of type I collagen molecules by bacterial collagenase is the first-order reaction. Reaction rate coefficients were calculated.

Fluorescent Visualization of Nucleolar G-Quadruplex RNA and Dynamics of Cytoplasm and Intranuclear Viscosity

The nucleolus, the locus of ribosome biogenesis, was found to be the predominant intracellular target of a new fluorescent probe, V-P1. In solution, the probe demonstrated both a selectivity to RNA...

Development of C3 symmetric triaminoguanidine-2-naphthol conjugate: Aggregation induced emission, colorimetric and turn-off fluorimetric detection of Co2+ ion, smartphone and real sample applications

Herein, a simple aggregation induced emissive star shaped organic compound LH3 with 2-naphthol moiety was prepared by simple one-pot condensation reaction from low-cost chemicals. Aggregation induced emission (AIE) features of LH3 was established in DMF-H2O mixtures. Further, the cation sensing capability of the probe LH3 was examined towards various metal ions in DMF-H2O (Tris−HCl buffer solution pH 7.4, 8:2, and v/v) by using UV–vis and emission spectral experiments. The probe LH3 exhibits high selective and sensitive detection towards Co2+ ions over different metal ions via colorimetric as well as turn-off fluorometric fashion. Job’s plot analysis and mass spectral measurement confirms the formation of LH3-Co2+ complex (L-Co3) with 1:3 stoichiometric ratio. When the probe LH3 binds with Co2+ in 1:3 ratio, turn-off emission behavior was observed via chelation enhanced quenching (CHEQ) mechanism. To establish the practical application of the probe LH3, the detection of Co2+ ions present in real water was established. The visual noticeable color variation of probe LH3 upon addition of Co2+ ions have been clearly incorporated with a smartphone app via variation in RGB color values to build an on-site analysis of Co2+ ions.

In vitro interaction of nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, didanosine with calf-thymus DNA: Insights from spectroscopic studies

Many antivirals interact with DNA and alter their expression profile. Thus, it is necessary to understand the binding mode. Didanosine, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, is used to treat HIV infection in patients with or without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Understanding the mechanism of interaction of this nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor with DNA can prove useful in the development of a rational drug designing system. In vitro studies (UV–vis, fluorescence, and viscometry techniques) under physiological conditions (Tris–HCl buffer solutions, pH 7.4) show that didanosine drug interacts with calf-thymus DNA (ct-DNA) via partial intercalative binding mode. UV–visible spectroscopy confirmed the formation didanosine-DNA complex with a binding strength of about 1.5 × 105 M−1 thus indicating their biological worth. Dye displace experiments and viscometry confirmed that didanosine partially intercalates toward DNA molecules. Negative value of Gibb’s-free energy change revealed that the process is spontaneous. The thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH) and entropy change (ΔS) showed that the acting forces between didanosine and ct-DNA mainly included hydrophobic interactions.

Indirect determination of dopamine and paracetamol by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy using azo coupling reaction with oxidized 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH): Application in commercial tablets

A new method for the determination of dopamine (DA) and paracetamol (PCT), based on the azo “coupling reaction with oxidized 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH), has been established. This method was based on the fact that in the HCl buffer solution, potassium ioadate oxidized 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine to form the diazonium chloride at 0–5 °C and then the diazonium ion reacted with the phenolic compounds to form azo-compounds. The products of the azo coupling reaction were characterized by UV/Vis spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy and square wave voltammetry. Using a MeOH/Water buffer solution (pH 9.0) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, DA and PCT were determined in the concentration range of 0.1–1000 μmol L −1 , with limits of detection of 0.47 and 0.25 μmol L −1 , respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the individual determination of DA and PCT in various pharmaceutical formulas, showing the practical feasibility of the proposed method as a novel platform for the sensitive determination of these phenolic compounds. • Indirect determination of dopamine and paracetamol using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. • Dopamine and paracetamol were changed to azo dye by coupling reaction with diazonium ion. • Various factors that influence oxidative and coupling reaction were investigated. • Determination of DA and PCT concentration in pharmaceutical samples.

Effect of T-ZnOw addition on the degradability of sol-gel derived SiO2-CaO-P2O5 glass-ceramics

The effect of tetra-needle-like ZnO whisker (T-ZnOw) addition on the degradability of sol-gel derived SiO2CaO-P2O5 glass-ceramics (58S glass-ceramics) was explored. The degradability of the prepared glass-ceramics was evaluated by immersing in simulated body fluid (SBF) and in Tris–HCl buffer solution for 1, 3, 7 and 14 days respectively. The degradability and biological properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The results revealed that T-ZnOw addition has significant influence on the degradability and biological properties of the sol-gel derived 58S glass-ceramics. The 58S glass-ceramics doped with no more than 2.5 wt% T-ZnOw still have good biological activity. Furthermore, the degradability of the 58S bioactive glass-ceramics can be effectively reduced by the T-ZnOw incorporation. The conclusions indicate that it is feasible to tune the degradation rate of the material by T-ZnOw.

Ether based flexible bis Schiff base fluorescent colorimetric chemosensors for selective and sensitive detection of HF2− ion

Two simple and low cost bis Schiff base fluorescent colorimetric chemosensors L1 and L2 have been designed and synthesized. These sensors could detect important anion HF2− by change in both absorption and fluorescence intensity in methanol tris HCl buffer (1:1 v/v) solution at physiological pH. The mechanism of selectivity and sensitivity of these receptors to HF2− has proposed to be on the basis of photo-induced electron transfer (PET), chelation enhanced fluoresence (CHEF) and hydrogen bonding mechanism, confirmed by FT-IR, 1H-NMR and ESI-mass spectra. Interestingly, chelation of HF2− to the receptors takes place in 1:2 ratio, which has been confirmed by job plots analysis, ESI-mass spectra, DFT and TD-DFT studies. The detection limits of the probes L1 and L2 for HF2− were determined to be 6.1 μM for L1 and 3.94 μM for L2 respectively, on the basis of 3σ/K. Importantly, the low detection limits of L1 and L2 for HF2−suggest that L1 and L2 are sensitive sensors for detection of these ions in drinking water. The receptors L1 and L2 can successfully applied for detection and quantification of HF2− in real samples. To the best of our knowledge this is the third report of fluorescent colorimetric chemosensors for HF2− ions.

Nanoencapsulated phase change material with polydopamine-SiO2 hybrid shell for tough thermo-regulating rigid polyurethane foam

Novel nanoencapsulated phase change materials (NePCMs) with polydopamine (PDA)-SiO2 hybrid shell material were prepared, and the thickness of PDA layer was highly tunable. The PDA layer was fabricated through oxidative self-polymerization of dopamine in Tris−HCl buffer solution, on preformed NePCMs with SiO2 shell. When Tris−HCl concentration is fixed at 50 mM and dopamine concentration is increased from 2 to 8 g/L, the shell thickness of the obtained NePCMs increases gradually from 27 to 37 nm. Phase change enthalpies of the NePCMs with PDA-SiO2 hybrid shell are reduced slightly with increasing PDA layer thickness. Thermal stability of the as-prepared NePCMs is improved obviously, compared with that of unencapsulated n-octadecane. It is further demonstrated that the NePCMs with PDA-SiO2 hybrid shell can be incorporated into thermo-regulating rigid polyurethane foams with high mechanical performance, due to improved interfacial compatibility and interaction between PDA layer and polyurethane matrix.

In vitro degradability and apatite-formation ability of monticellite (CaMgSiO4) bioceramic

In this study, monticellite (CaMgSiO4) ceramic was successfully synthesized by a sol–gel method. The degradation test was evaluated through the weight loss of the CaMgSiO4 ceramic during immersion in Tris–HCl buffer solution. In vitro apatite-formation ability of the CaMgSiO4 ceramic was investigated by soaking in the simulated body fluid (SBF), and the deposited hydroxyapatite (HAp) after soaking was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results showed that the CaMgSiO4 ceramic had a low degradation rate. Furthermore, CaMgSiO4 ceramic showed good apatite-formation ability, HAp layer constituted by needle-like crystallites was investigated on CaMgSiO4 ceramic surface after soaking in SBF solution.

Polydopamine-assisted deposition of polypyrrole on electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofibers for bidirectional removal of cation and anion dyes

In this work, novel composite nanofibers which exhibited ‘core–shell’-like structure were fabricated through the deposition of polypyrrole (PPy) particles on the electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers with the aid of polydopamine (PDA). First, the PVDF/DA electrospun nanofibers were prepared. Then, the self-polymerization of PDA was triggered in a Tris–HCl buffer solution. After that, the pyrrole monomer was added into the distilled water containing the PVDF/PDA fibrous membrane and the chemical oxidation polymerization of PPy was triggered by adding FeCl3. Morphological characterization confirmed that the electrospun PVDF/PDA nanofibers were homogenously coated by PPy particles. Largely enhanced hydrophilicity of the fibrous membrane surface was achieved due to the presence of many nitrogen-containing groups and the increased surface roughness of nanofibers. The adsorption abilities of the composite nanofibers were investigated using Methylene Blue (MB) and Congo Red (CR) as the probe dyes. The results showed that the composite nanofibers exhibited excellent adsorption abilities toward cation and anion dyes simultaneously, and the maximum adsorption capacities were 370.4 and 384.6 mg/g for MB and CR adsorption, respectively. The adsorption behaviors toward the two dyes could be well described by the pseudo second-order adsorption model and the Langmuir adsorption model. Further results showed that the adsorption abilities of the composite nanofibers were greatly dependent upon the pH values of the solution. Furthermore, the composite nanofibers exhibited good regeneration ability. The removal ability toward Cr(VI) was also measured and the experimental adsorption capacity was 126.7 mg/g. The excellent adsorption abilities toward cation/anion dyes and heavy metal ions endow the composite nanofibers with great potential application in wastewater treatment.

Spectrophotometric study on binding of 2-thioxanthone acetic acid with ct-DNA

Thioxanthone and its derivatives are the most remarkable molecules due to their vast variety of application such as radiation curing that is, until using them as a therapeutic drug. Therefore, in this study it was intended to use 2-Thioxanthone acetic acid with and without NaCl in Tris HCl buffer solution (pH:7.0) to represent the interaction with ct-DNA. The UV–vis absorption spectra of TXCH2COOH in the presence of ct-DNA showed hypochromism and the intrinstic binding constant (Kb) was determined as 6 × 103 L mol−1. The fluoresence intensity of TXCH2COOH with ct-DNA clearly increased up to 101% which indicated that the fluorescence intensity was very sensitive to ct-DNA concentration. The binding constant (K) and the values of number of binding sites (n) and were calculated as 1.8 × 103 L mol−1 and 0.69, respectively. When the quenching constants (Ksv) of free TXCH2COOH and TXCH2COOH, which were bonded with ct-DNA were compared, slightly changed values of Ksv were seen. Moreover, displacement assay with Hoechst 33,258 and viscosity measurements in the presence and absence of NaCl salt also confirmed the binding mode which noted the electrostatic interaction following groove binding between TXCH2COOH and ct-DNA. Last but not least, the salt effect was examined on ct-DNA binding with TXCH2COOH. The results of the experiments indicated that the groove binding was strengthened by NaCl whereas in the high NaCl concentration, the binding ability of TXCH2COOH to ct-DNA was inversely affected.

Development of Acridine‐Derived “Turn On” Al3+ Fluorescent Sensors and Their Imaging in Living Cells

AbstractTwo novel highly selective fluorescent sensors L‐1 and L‐2 for the determination of Al3+ ion were synthesized and characterized. The sensors acridine‐4,5‐diylbismethyl(bis(oxy))bis(2,1‐phenylene))bis‐(methylene))bis(azanediyl))bis(3‐phenylpropan‐1‐ol) (L‐1) and 2,2′‐acridine‐4,5‐diylbis(methylene(bis(oxy))bis(2,1‐phenylene))bis‐(methylene))bis(azanediyl))bis(propan‐1‐ol) (L‐2) showed “turn on” fluorescence response in the presence of Al3+ ion in DMSO/tris‐HCl (1:1, v:v, pH=7.2) buffer solution. Other cations viz. Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Fe2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Mn2+, Ba2+, Pb2+, Hg2+, Fe3+ and Eu3+ ions showed no appreciable change in fluorescence spectrum. The detection limits of L‐1 and L‐2 for Al3+ ion were at the parts per billion level. In addition, possible utilization of sensors as bio‐imaging fluorescent sensors to detect Al3+ in human cervical HeLa cells was also investigated by confocal fluorescence microscopy.