Surfactant-Induced Modulation of Fluorosensor Activity: A Simple Way to Maximize the Sensor Efficiency

Abstract

Tuning of the sensory capability of a potentially bioactive indoloquinolizine system, namely, 3-acetyl-4-oxo-6,7-dihydro-12H-indolo-[2,3-a]-quinolizine (AODIQ), is described in a biomimicking micellar nanocage. It has been shown that surfactant concentration dictates the sensing behavior of the fluorophore toward physiologically essential trace metals, such as Cu2+. This is a simple, efficient, and general technique that allows one to utilize the sensor to its maximum efficiency.