Nano molar detection of Cd(ii) ions by luminescent metallo-supramolecular polymer formation

Abstract

A Cd(II)-based metallo-supramolecular polymer (polyCd) was formed via the 1 : 1 complexation of Cd(II) ions with bis(1,10-phenanthroline) bearing a fluorine moiety as a luminescent spacer. The stepwise complexation was observed in UV-vis spectral titration. Selective sensing of Cd(II) ions based on the luminescent polymer formation was successfully achieved with sensitivity down to 8 nM concentration.