Abstract
Abstract
Rapid detection of copper ion (Cu
2+
) and sulfide anion (S
2−
) has become a research priority in view of their crucial roles in human health and environmental monitoring; therefore, there is an intense demand for highly effective detection of their concentrations in biological and environmental samples. In this work, a fluorescent probe
Y
based on the "ON-OFF-ON" strategy for sequential recognition of Cu
2+
and S
2−
with high selectivity and anti-interference ability was developed. Probe
Y
can form a complex with Cu
2+
to realize Cu
2+
detection due to fluorescence quenching, and the
Y
+Cu
2+
complex can react with S
2−
to achieve fluorescent recovery by generation of insoluble copper sulfide (CuS) to release probe
Y
. Probe
Y
toward Cu
2+
and its complex to S
2−
detection exhibit good sensitivity with the detection limit (LOD) of 2.40×10
− 8
mol/L and 1.80×10
− 8
mol/L, respectively. Moreover, the detection process can be completed within 30 s to demonstrate rapid response capability over a wide pH range. Test strip, reversibility, and cell imaging experiments were also conducted to confirm their practical application capability in real environments.