Controllable luminescence and electrochemical detection of Pb2+ ion based on the 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) dye and dodecanesulfonate co-intercalated layered double hydroxide

2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate) dye (ABTS) and dodecanesulfonate anion (SDS) have been co-intercalated into the ZnAl-layered double hydroxide (ZnAl LDH) matrix by a hydrothermal co-precipitation method, with obtained samples denoted as ABTS–SDS(x)/LDH (x stands for the molar percentage content of ABTS with respect to total intercalated content). The structure and chemical composition of the as-prepared compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FT-IR spectra and elemental analysis. Fluorescence spectra demonstrated that the sample with 60% ABTS molar percentage, exhibited the optimal luminescent intensity. The fluorescence lifetime of ABTS in the gallery of LDH was enhanced significantly compared with that of pristine ABTS powder. As well, the ABTS–SDS/LDH thin film fabricated by the solvent evaporation method exhibited a well-defined c-orientation, which can be confirmed by XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the ABTS–SDS(60%)/LDH film showed polarized luminescence (anisotropy: 0.35) and electrochemical response to aqueous solution containing Pb2+ ion. These results demonstrate that the ABTS–SDS/LDH system can serve as a good candidate for the solid-sate luminescence and electrochemical sensor materials.

► The ABTS and SDS were co-intercalated into the layered double hydroxide.
► The luminescent intensity, wavelength, and lifetime were tunable.
► The film shows the polarized luminescence and electrochemical response to Pb2+ ion.