A quinoline group modified Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles for sequential detection of Zn2+ and hydrogen sulfide in aqueous solution and its logic behavior

A highly selective and sensitive method for recognition of Zn2+ and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in aqueous solution has been developed by using a quinoline fluorescent sensor functionalized magnetic silica nanoparticles (R1). The chemosensor R1 shows excellent fluorescence sensitivity and selectivity toward Zn2+ and H2S in aqueous media, and displays off–on–off type fluorescence change with alternately adding Zn2+ and H2S to the media along with reversible association–dissociation of the complex. Furthermore, the magnetic nanocomposites can be easily separated from solutions by adding an external magnetic field. Finally, using Zn2+ and H2S as inputs and the fluorescence intensity as output, an INHIBIT logic gate can be constructed at the nanoscale level.