Detection of Zinc Ions Using a Fluorescent Compound Derived from a Cyanoacrylic Acid-based Chemosensor

Abstract

This study was initially conducted through the synthesis and characterization of a cyanoacrylic acid based on thiophene-phenylethyl-cyanoacrylic acid (TPC). The receptor cyanoacrylic acid derivative revealed an “off-on” mode with high selectivity and sensitivity to Zn2+ ions, whereas the selectivity of the optical sensor for Zn2+ ions was the consequence of chelation-enhanced fluorescence. The possible interference of other metal ions in solution was examined in the presence of different types of metal ion, whereby the results showed high selectivity and sensitivity with a low detection limit of 7.78 × 10-8 M. Furthermore, the geometry of the TPC molecular structure and electronic properties were examined using density functional theory and time-dependent density functional theory. A comparison between calculation and experimental data yielded results indicating that the compound has potential applications in chemosensors.