A rapid fluorescent ratiometric Ag+ sensor based on synthesis of a dual-emission ternary nucleotide/terbium complex probe

Luminol-GMP-Tb (LGT) exhibits two inherent output signal colors under different excitation wavelengths, with morphology of spherical nanoparticles by simply mixing bright green GMP-Tb by 254 nm and blue-emitting Luminol by 365 nm. Then the introduction of Ag+ to the microscale LGT can regulate the luminescence with significantly enhanced the luminescence of Tb3+ and almost unchanged or slightly decreased signal of luminol, accompanying a more aggregated nano-structure. Furthermore, real-time and on-site visualizing detection of Ag+ qualitatively and quantitatively in aqueous solution may be achieved with a portable hand-held UV lamp and fluorophotometer.