Ratiometric fluorescence detection of silver ions using thioflavin T-based organic/inorganic hybrid supraparticles

Analyst. 2015 Sep 7;140(17):6108-13. doi: 10.1039/c5an01146a.

Abstract

In this work, we present a new type of functional organic/inorganic hybrid supraparticle that spontaneously assembles from silver ions (Ag(+)), iodide ions (I(-)) and thioflavin T (ThT) under aqueous solution conditions. ThT alone in aqueous solution was weakly fluorescent with an emission band at 494 nm, which was related to the monomer. However, in the above-mentioned hybrid supraparticle (i.e., ThT@AgI SP) structure, the ThT monomer can form a dimer with a new emission band. The new band shifted to 546 nm and the emission intensity increased. We further present a facile strategy of reversible fluorescence switching of ThT by a simple cation (Ag(+)) and anions (I(-) and S(2-)), which can be employed for the ratiometric fluorescence detection of Ag(+) with high sensitivity and selectivity. The linear range of detecting Ag(+) was from 100 nM to 10 μM, with a limit of detection as low as approximately 50 nM. Moreover, it can be successfully applied for the operation of a logic gate system and to the sensing of Ag(+) in real water samples.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anions / chemistry
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Cations / chemistry
  • Iodides / analysis
  • Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Silver / analysis*
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence*
  • Thiazoles / chemistry*
  • Water / chemistry

Substances

  • Anions
  • Benzothiazoles
  • Cations
  • Iodides
  • Thiazoles
  • Water
  • thioflavin T
  • Silver