High selectivity up-converted fluorescence turn-on probe for Zn2+ based on PAMAM hydroxy-naphthalene Schiff-bases (CN) half-organic quantum dots

Abstract

The dendrimer PNS-G0 with Schiff-base imines (CN) realizes highly selective and common fluorescence (λ_ex = 400 nm) or up-converted fluorescence (λ_ex = 800 nm) turn-on effect to qualitatively and quantitatively detect zinc ions (Zn²⁺). The PNS-G0 + Zn²⁺ complex (CN_Zn_O) fluorescence emitting parts were firstly proposed as half-organic quantum dots (HOQDs). The HOQDs probe PNS-G0 for Zn²⁺ by the coordination method based on imine isomerization (inhibition) mechanism, which has potential applications in biological imaging, analytical chemistry, and optical physics areas.