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

Hydrazine (N2H4) 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 N2H4 and ClO−. PT underwent N2H4/ClO−-induced CC breakage, achieving olive-drab/brilliant green fluorescence lighting-up response towards N2H4/ClO− with superb specifity, ultra-sensitivity (detection limit: 15.4 nM for N2H4, 13.7 nM for ClO−), and ultra-fast response (N2H4: <15 s, ClO−: <20 s). The mechanisms for sensing N2H4 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 N2H4 and ClO− solution. In addition, the PT was also applied for quantitatively detecting N2H4 and ClO− in soil, food, plants and bio-fluids. Moreover, PT was utilized to visualize exogenous N2H4 and ClO− in living plants and live-cells, demonstrating this sensor utilized as a powerful tool to detect N2H4 and ClO− in biological fields.