A dual-functional fluorescent probe for simultaneous visualization and quantification of Au and Pd species in environmental and biological systems

Gold (Au) and palladium (Pd) species have been widely used in synthetic chemistry, biology, and environmental sciences, raising hard-to-ignore health and environment risks due to their potential toxicity. Herein, a novel dual-functional fluorescent probe was rationally designed and developed for simultaneous quantification and visualization of Au 3+ and Pd species in the environmental and biological systems. Significant fluorescence enhancement at 484 and 606 nm and color changes were observed upon addition of Au 3+ and Pd 0 with high sensitivity. The detection limit for Au 3+ and Pd 0 was as low as 68 nM and 7 nM, respectively. Combined with smartphone chromaticity and dual-channel fluorescence imaging analysis, this probe was successfully applied to the quantification and visualization of Au 3+ and Pd species in real water samples. Thus, simultaneous naked-eye visualization and quantification of Au 3+ and Pd 0 in real water samples was achieved using this probe. The probe was also successfully applied to fluorescence imaging of Au 3+ and Pd 0 in HeLa cells and zebrafish, promoting the monitor and understanding about gold and palladium species in environmental and biological systems.