A Selective Colorimetric and Fluorometric Chemosensor Based on Conjugated Polydiacetylenes for Cadmium Ion Detection

In the current study, a polydiacetylene (PDA)‐based sensor, derived from a chelidamic acid‐picolylamine (CP)‐substituted diacetylene monomer, displayed a selective colorimetric and fluorometric change in the presence of cadmium (Cd2+) at pH 7.4. The PDA−CP solutions showed a colorimetric change from blue to violet in response to various amounts of Cd2+. The chemosensor also showed a rapid fluorescence turn‐on response and significant selectivity to Cd2+ compared with other metallic cations. The Cd2+‐selective PDA‐based sensor system facilitated the visual detection of Cd2+ in aqueous solution. The Cd2+ detection limit of PDA−CP was reduced to 1.85×10−5 M. Makes sense! A chelidamic acid‐picolylamine (CP) substituted diacetylene (PDA−CP) was prepared and employed as a colorimetric and fluorometric chemosensor for Cd2+ ions. In this system, the CP chelating moieties serves as a recognition moiety for cadmium ions.