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Cu 2+ sensing via noncovalent complexes of fluorescent whitening agents and imidazole‐based polymeric dye transfer inhibitors
Author(s) -
Fernandes Gregory Edward,
Ugwu Chidera
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.48915
Subject(s) - fluorescence , imidazole , aqueous solution , chemistry , detection limit , polymer chemistry , photochemistry , nuclear chemistry , combinatorial chemistry , organic chemistry , chromatography , quantum mechanics , physics
Fluorescent whitening agents (FWAs) and polymeric dye transfer inhibitors (DTIs) are widely used in detergent formulations to combat garment yellowing, fading, and discoloration. We report a new application for these inexpensive, mass‐produced, laundry additives as sensitive fluorescence “turn‐off” sensors for Cu 2+ . We show that Cu 2+ ‐sensitive FWA–DTI complexes form spontaneously when aqueous solutions of FWA and imidazole‐based DTI are mixed. We also show that the imidazole groups present in the resulting fluorescent FWA–DTI complex selectively bind Cu 2+ , a potent fluorescence quencher, to form nonfluorescent FWA–DTI‐Cu 2+ complexes. Our Cu 2+ ‐sensing FWA–DTI complexes are completely water‐soluble and have a Cu 2+ detection limit of ~ 0.14 μM in water. Our simple approach not only converts the Cu 2+ ‐insensitive FWAs into sensitive fluorescent probes for the metal ion but also significantly enhances the brightness of triazinylaminostilbene FWAs. The present study provides a facile, synthesis‐free strategy for producing inexpensive fluorescent sensors for Cu 2+ . © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137 , 48915.