A pyrene-based fluorescent probe for highly sensitive and selective detection of hydroxylamine in environmental water samples

Abstract

In this study, a pyrene-based fluorescent probe (PCPA) was designed, synthesized and developed for the detection of HA. In the presence of HA, PCPA was converted to the oxime derivative (PCO) through a nucleophilic addition–elimination reaction, accompanied by significant enhancement in fluorescence at 408/425 nm. Further investigations showed that PCPA displayed high sensitivity (LOD = 0.017 µM, λex = 365 nm) within 20 min and high selectivity over other analytes. Moreover, PCPA was capable of recognizing HA in environmental water samples and showed a recovery rate of 95–104% and relative standard deviations (RSD) of 0.56–2.59%. Portable PCPA-loaded paper-based test strips were facilely prepared, which enabled the on-site detection of HA with the aid of a smartphone. These results are expected to make PCPA a potential alternative for HA detection in the field of environmental monitoring.