A pentacenequinone derivative with aggregation-induced emission enhancement characteristics for the picogram detection of Fe3+ ions in mixed aqueous media

Abstract

The binding behavior of nanoaggregates of pentacenequinone derivative 1 having thiophene groups has been investigated toward various cations (Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺, Pd²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺ and Li⁺) using UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Among the various cations tested, nanoaggregates of compound 1 show a selective and sensitive response towards ferric ions. Further, the paper strips coated with a solution of nanoaggregates of 1 can detect ferric ions at the picogram level, thus providing a simple, portable and low cost method for the detection of ferric ions at the picogram level in aqueous solution.