A single fluorescent probe as systematic sensor for multiple metal ions: Focus on detection and bio-imaging of Pd2+

Abstract An easily accessible pyridine-linked anthracene-based new amphiphilic fluorescent molecule is reported as the single probe for systematic and rapid sensing of multiple metal ions at ppb level. Among several metal ions, the quenching in fluorescence intensity of the fluorophore was remarkable for Pd 2+ , Fe 3+ , Sn 2+ , Bi 3+ and Al 3+ metal ions in the 1,4-dioxane medium where Al 3+ was straightaway identified with its 50% quenching. The addition of Fe 3+ solution to the probe produced a distinct blue shift in the absorption spectrum under UV–vis spectroscopy. Further, the probe could discriminate rest of the three metal ions Pd 2+ , Sn 2+ and Bi 3+ by using surfactant led assemblies like micelles and niosomes. In anionic micelles (SDS), the probe could selectively detect Bi 3+ ion. The differentiation between Pd 2+ and Sn 2+ was achieved by recording their emission spectra in neutral Tween 20 micelles and span-80 niosomes, where the probe showed dramatic quenching only with Pd 2+ . Finally, the sensor was successfully utilized to capture the image of cervical cancer (HeLa) cells facilitating intracellular detection of Pd 2+ .