Dual-emissive nanocomposites based on Eu(iii) functionalized Cu(i)-coordination polymer for ratiometric fluorescent sensing and integrating Boolean logic operations

Abstract

The most serious and yet unsolved problems of molecular logic operations consist of how to link molecular events in complex systems into a usable device with specific functions. Herein, a fluorescence system based on a Eu(III)-functionalized Cu(I)-coordination polymer was constructed to recognize and connect multiple components (AA/H₂O₂, H₂S and Fe(II)) for developing dual-emissive (B485 and R616) ratiometric fluorescent sensing and integrating Boolean logic operations. More importantly, we first proposed the H₂O₂–Eu(III)@Cu-COOH system, which can realize the selective and quantitative detection of AA by fluorescence titration experiments of H₂O₂ even in the presence of various competitive analytes (e.g. H₂S and Fe(II)). To demonstrate the strategy, by self-assembling, oxidizing, and connecting with each other, Eu(III)@Cu-COOH and the analytes achieved elementary logic operations (OR, NOR, AND, XOR, IMP and INH) and integrative logic operation (XOR(INH)–OR) to perform non-arithmetic functions and to analyze two or three analytes in a bio-mimicking environment. Considering its strong molecular recognition, the novel prototypes developed here may have potential applications in the fields of biological computers and intelligent multi-analytes detection systems.