Fe3+ sensitivity fluorescence sensor from β-cyclodextrin-enhanced Eu3+ luminescence aggregates

In this work, novel β -cyclodextrin-enhanced Eu 3+ luminescence aggregates (CELAs) with bright red fluorescence of Eu 3+ are prepared. These CELAs exhibit the quick response and highly selective sensitivity at the concentration of 50 µM Fe 3+ . A series of ligands (such as TTA, phen, β -cyclodextrin) sensitizes the luminescence of Eu 3+ (the “antenna effect”), and metal ions–ligands interactions can differentially alter the antenna effect of ligands toward Eu 3+ . Addition of EDTA to chelate Fe 3+ restores the fluorescence, indicating that the fluorescence quenching in the presence of Fe 3+ is reversible. This research provides that CELAs integrate these merits of superior lanthanide fluorescence and the amphiphilia property of β -cyclodextrin ( β -CD). It is a unique system with enhancement Eu 3+ luminescence in ethanol–water system and will be applied for aqueous solution detection sensor with high selectivity and reversibility for Fe 3+ . On the other hand, the on-off fluorescence property of the CELAs is convenient for environmental detection system.