Fluorescent detection of silver ions in water with organic nano-aggregates

Abstract

A novel chemosensor, that has a bis-thiocarbamate scaffold appended to hydrophobic naphthoyl groups, displays fluorescence enhancement in the presence of Ag⁺ ions. The sensor behaves differently in aqueous and methanolic environments. In the aqueous media it forms organic nano-aggregates, which undergo further aggregation and grow in size in the presence of Ag⁺ ions. The detection limit of the sensor is 11 ppb for Ag⁺ ions, which is far within the US-EPA guidelines for drinking water.