A dual-responsive fluorescent turn-on sensor for sensitively detecting and bioimaging of hydrazine and hypochlorite in biofluids, live-cells, and plants

Hydrazine (N 2 H 4 ) and hypochlorite (ClO − ) are extremely harmful to the public health, so it is vitally necessary to detect them in living system. Herein, we developed a new phenthiazine-thiobarbituric acid based dual-analyte responsive fluorescent sensor PT for visually distinguishing and detecting N 2 H 4 and ClO − . PT underwent N 2 H 4 /ClO − -induced C C breakage, achieving olive-drab/brilliant green fluorescence lighting-up response towards N 2 H 4 /ClO − with superb specifity, ultra-sensitivity (detection limit: 15.4 nM for N 2 H 4 , 13.7 nM for ClO − ), and ultra-fast response (N 2 H 4 : <15 s, ClO − : <20 s). The mechanisms for sensing N 2 H 4 and ClO − were investigated with support of spectral measurements and DFT investigation. Sensor based paper-strip/silica-gel device was developed for in-field supervision and on-site monitoring of gaseous and aqueous N 2 H 4 and ClO − solution. In addition, the PT was also applied for quantitatively detecting N 2 H 4 and ClO − in soil, food, plants and bio-fluids. Moreover, PT was utilized to visualize exogenous N 2 H 4 and ClO − in living plants and live-cells, demonstrating this sensor utilized as a powerful tool to detect N 2 H 4 and ClO − in biological fields.