Analytical Sciences

A Colorimetric and Fluorescent Probe for the Detection of Cu²⁺ in a Complete Aqueous Solution

Jing XU, Zuokai WANG, Caiyun LIU, Zhenghe XU, Baocun ZHU, Ning WANG, Kun WANG, and Jiangting WANG

School of Resources and Environment, University of Jinan, Shandong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Ecological Carbon Sink and Capture Utilization, Jinan 250022, China

The fluorescent probe has become an important method for the detection of heavy metal ions. In the present work, a new and simple fluorescent probe, Cu-P, for detecting copper ion (Cu²⁺) was designed and synthesized. The probe has shown high sensitivity and selectivity toward Cu²⁺. The detection limit was 13 nM (based on the 3σ/slope). A significant color change from yellow to pink was observed; thus, the probe Cu-P could serve as a “naked-eye” indicator for Cu²⁺. Furthermore, the proposed probe was used to detect Cu²⁺ in real water and soil extract samples, with the result being satisfactory. Therefore, our proposed probe would provide a promising method for the detection of Cu²⁺ in the environment.

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