A ${\rm Zn}^{2+}$ Optical Sensor and Logic Actuator Using Schiff Base Functionalized Mesoporous Material

One simple binaphthyl-bridged salicylidene Schiff base (2,2'-bis(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (BCHB)) was successfully synthesised and modified into the channel of mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15, which was functionalized with 3-aminapropyltriethoxysilane, through the hydrogen bond assembly. Detailed characterizations such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectra indicate that the hexagonally ordered mesoporous structure has been retained in good condition, and this organic/inorganic hybrid material exhibits different photochemical property from ligand itself and selective recognition of among other metal ions. Furthermore, stimulated by the inputs of and UV irradiation, an INHIBIT logic function can be developed with fluorescence emission as the output.