A targetable fluorescent sensor for hypochlorite based on a luminescent europium complex loaded carbon nanotube

Abstract

A new europium complex covalently modified single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) was reported here as an emissive nanosensor for the determination of hypochlorite. FT-IR, UV-vis, TEM and SEM proved that it was successfully linked to the SWNT surface. A luminescence quenching effect of this nanoprobe was rapidly observed in the presence of ClO⁻. Moreover, the quenching process can be detected within 1 s and the detection limit could reach 9 × 10⁻⁸ M. We regarded that the ligand exchange process and the high vibration energy of the ClO⁻ resulted in this selective recognition behavior.