Zinc metal complex as a sensor for simultaneous detection of fluoride and HSO4− ions

Abstract

A Schiff base based tripodal receptor was synthesized and complexed with a zinc metal ion (n17) using a very easy single step process. The resulting complex was fully characterized by CHN and single crystal XRD. The real time application of the complex in aqueous media was devised by preparing its organic nanoparticles (ONPs) and their sensor activity was tested with various anions by observing changes in the fluorescence profile of n17. It was observed that ONPs of n17 responded excellently for fluoride and sulfate, producing two different signals, with detection limits of 4.84 × 10⁻¹² M and 5.67 × 10⁻⁹ M respectively, without having any interference from each other. The real time application of the sensor was also tested using various samples collected from various daily utility items and found to respond exceptionally well.