A novel Pb2+-selective micellar self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor based on amino thiadiazole calix[4]arene derivative.

Abstract A novel "turn-off" micellar self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor for detecting Pb2+ ions based on calix[4]arene derivative was prepared through self-assembly of amino thiadiazole calix[4]arene derivative (AMT-CA) as receptor, pyrene as fluorophore and trimethyltetradecylammonium bromide (TTAB) as template in aqueous solution. The fluorescence of pyrene was quenched by Pb2+ ions owing to the close proximity of the AMT-CA-Pb2+ complex to the pyrene based on fluorescent internal filter effect (IFE). The effects of pH value, concentration of TTAB and pyrene, molar ratio of AMT-CA/pyrene on the fluorescent chemosensor were studied. Further, the linear response for Pb2+ ions was in the range of 2–52 μmol/L. And Pb2+ ions can be selectively detected in the presence of cations (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+, Al3+, Zn2+, Ba2+, Cd2+) and anions (CH 3 COO−, Br−, Cl−, SO 4 2−, NO 3 −). Other similar micellar self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor with selective detection for other ions will be researched and developed based on calix[4]arene. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • A novel Pb2+-selective micellar self-assembled fluorescent chemosensor was prepared. • This fluorescent chemosensor could directly detect Pb2+ in aqueous solution. • Linear response for Pb2+ was in the range of 2–52 μmol/L. • This fluorescent chemosensor showed high selectivity towards Pb2+. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]