Cascade sensing of iodide and fluoride by tryptophan derived low molecular weight gelator

Publication date: May 2019Source: Colloid and Interface Science Communications, Volume 30Author(s): Mrittika Mohar, Tanmay DasAbstractAn optical cascade sensor of iodide and fluoride ions based on simple tryptophan derivative containing urea functional group has been designed and synthesized via one-step reaction and characterized by different spectroscopic techniques. The tetrahydrofuran solution of the sensor becomes yellow in the presence of iodide ion and this binary yellow solution shows bright green emission under 366 nm UV irradiation in the presence of fluoride ion. The sensor is one of the very few examples of cascade sensors. The sensor was utilized to detect iodide present in water which can be helpful for monitoring of iodide in real samples. A stable organogel was obtained from the same compound in 1,2-dichlorobenzene which showed acid vapor responsive gel to sol transformation. This can be utilized for sensing acid vapors present in the air. Along with that, the gel shows good selectivity for adsorbing zwitterionic dye compared to cationic, anionic or neutral dye.Graphical abstract
Source: Colloids and Interface Science Communications - Category: Nanotechnology Source Type: research