Fluorescence sensor for Cu(II) based on R6G derivatives modified silicon nanowires

A fluorescence sensor for selective detection of Cu(II) is realized by covalently immobilizing derivatives of rhodamine6G (R6G) on the surface of silicon nanowires (SiNWs). It features the release of R6G from the SiNWs in the presence of Cu(II), which causes a significant enhancement of the fluorescence over other metal ions. The present Cu(II) sensor has good selectivity and sensitivity, and exhibits a linear response in the range of 0.0–7.0 μM Cu(II). Different from conventional Cu(II) sensor with fluorescence quenching, the present sensor based on fluorescence enhancement facilitates the practical application. Especially, the release of the R6G from SiNWs could be utilized as fluorescent labeling for Cu(II) in microenvironment.