An efficient upconversion luminescence energy transfer system for determination of trace amounts of nitrite based on NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ as donor Original Research Article

Based on NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ upconversion nanocrystals as donor and 4-((4-(2-aminoethylamino)naphthalen-1-yl)diazenyl) benzenesulfonic acid dihydrochloride (ANDBS) as acceptor, an efficient luminescence energy transfer (LET) system was developed for selective and sensitive determination of trace amounts of nitrite. Based on Griess Reaction, ANDBS was generated by the quantitative reaction of nitrite, sulfanilamide and N-(1-naphtyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (N1NED). The degree of the overlaps between the emission spectrum of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ and the absorption spectrum of ANDBS were effective for luminescence energy transfer. Under the optimal condition, the upconversion luminescence quenching of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ was in proportion to the trace amounts of nitrite. The detection limit for nitrite achieved is 0.0046 μg mL−1 and the system shows high sensitivity towards nitrite at 0.008000–0.2500 μg mL−1 range.