A novel pyrene based highly selective reversible fluorescent-colorimetric sensor for the rapid detection of Cu²⁺ ions: application in bio-imaging

Abstract

A simple, low-cost pyrene derivative containing a benzilmonohydrazone moiety has been exploited for the selective detection of Cu²⁺ by colorimetric, absorption, emission and bio-imaging methods. The sensitivity of the fluorescence based assay is 7.8 nM for Cu²⁺, which is far below the limit mentioned in the World Health Organization.