Visual detection of cobalt(ii) ion in vitroand tissue with a new type of leaf-like molecular microcrystalElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental details and additional figures. See DOI: 10.1039/c0cc03205k/.

A novel type of leaf-like poly (p-phenylenediamine) (PpPD) microcrystal was prepared under mild conditions, which was successfully applied to the visual detection of Co2+in vitroand in tissue based on the extinction and light scattering features owing to the special etching effect of Co2+on the surface of the leaf-like microcrystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]