• A PET-based Turn-on probe for Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ in near-aqueous medium. • Discrimination between Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ by using Cu 2+ as a tool for sequential quenching. • Nanomolar detection limits of Zn 2+ and Cd 2+. • Fluorescence lifetime and quantum yield studies. • Positive response towards bioimaging in live Vero cells. A newly designed and synthesized quinoline-based chemosensor (DDTQ) is reported for the detection of Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ . The ligand is characterized by all possible spectroscopic techniques. From a pool of different metal ions in aqueous medium, Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ ions are simultaneously detected by the probe, giving an excellent enhancement in the fluorescence intensity at 445 nm. The fluorescence intensity of DDTQ-Cd is higher than that of DDTQ-Zn. Cd 2+ and Zn 2+ can be distinguished by using Cu 2+ as a tool for sequential quenching where, DDTQ-Zn is responsive towards Cu 2+ while DDTQ-Cd is not. It is noteworthy that the novel probe has shown a nanomolar level detection limit of 154 and 126 nM for Zn 2+ and Cd 2+ respectively. The binding modes of the complexes are also verified by HRMS, Job’s analysis, and by single crystal-XRD analysis. Fluorescence lifetime measurements of the complexes show lifetime values of 28 ns and 26 ns for DDTQ-Zn and DDTQ-Cd complexes respectively. Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) and chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanisms are proposed to be responsible for the enhancement of the fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence intensity of DDTQ in presence of Zn 2+ or Cd 2+ is stable in the physiological pH range and this prompted us to explore the bioimaging applications in live Vero cells to demonstrate its potential for real-life applications. 

An efficient PET-based probe for detection and discrimination of Zn2+ and Cd2+ in near-aqueous media and live-cell imaging

Electrosorption of cadmium ions in aqueous solutions using a copper-gallate metal-organic framework

Electrosorption of cadmium ions in aqueous solutions using a copper-gallate metal-organic framework.

Development of a New Methodology for Determination of Cd, Ni, and Co at Trace Levels by Mixed Ultrasonic-Assisted Cloud Point/Solid Phase Extraction in Micro Micellar Media: Optimization through Response Surface Methodology

Formation mechanism and influencing factors of dioxins during incineration of mineralized refuse

A novel remediation method of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil: Dynamic equilibrium of Cd2+ rapid release from soil to water and selective adsorption by PP-g-AA fibers-ball at low concentration.

Di Wang

Papers

A novel remediation method of cadmium (Cd) contaminated soil: Dynamic equilibrium of Cd2+ rapid release from soil to water and selective adsorption by PP-g-AA fibers-ball at low concentration.