Calix[4]arene-based fluorescent probe and the adsorption capacity of its electrospun nanofibrous film for the cesium cation as an adsorbent

Abstract

Calix[4]arene-based cation receptor 1 has been synthesised by following a multi-step synthetic procedure. The fluorescence properties of 1 upon the addition of various metal ions were investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy. As a result, it was revealed that 1 displayed dramatic quenching effect upon the exposure to Cs+. In contrast, no significant quenching effects were observed upon the addition of other metal ions such as Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Sr2+, Ag+, Zn2+ and Ni2+. Compound 1 was also found by Job plot to form a 1:1 complex with Cs+. In addition, we also prepared 1-embedded electrospun nanofibrous film (NF-1) as an adsorbent for Cs+. NF-1 is proved to adsorb Cs+ effectively from an aqueous solution, indicating that it would be usefully utilised as an adsorbent to remove Cs+.