A colorimetric fluorescent probe for rapid and specific detection of nitrite.

The method of fluorescent probes has been an important technique for detection of nitrite (NO2 - ). As an important inorganic salt, excessive nitrite would threaten humans and the environment. In this paper, a colorimetric fluorescent probe P-N (1,2-diaminoanthraquinone) with rapid response and high selectivity, which could detect NO2 - by visual colour changes and fluorescence spectroscopy is presented. The probe P-N solution (pH 1) changed from pink to colourless with the addition of NO2 - and fluorescence intensity at 639 nm clearly decreased. Good linear exists between fluorescence intensities and NO2 - concentrations for the range 0-16 μM, and the detection limit was 54 nM (based on a 3σ/slope). Moreover, probe P-N could also detect NO2 - in real water samples, and results were all satisfactory. Probe P-N shows great practical application value for detecting NO2 - in the environment.