Fluorescence sensing of potential NLO material by bunsenite NiO nanoflakes: Room temperature magnetic studies

[Display omitted] •Binding interaction of 5-amino-2-mercapto benzimidazole with NiO has been studied.•AMB act as a new host for NiO nano flakes that enhance its fluorescence.•Binding site is supported by molecular electrostatic potential.•VSM studies show the paramagnetic behavior in both n-NiO and f-NiO samples.•AMB has the largest μgβ0 value and can be used as potential NLO materials. NiO nanoflakes were stabilized using 5-amino-2-mercaptobenzimidazole (AMB), and the binding interaction was studied by absorption and fluorescence spectral studies. The bunsenite NiO nanoflakes were synthesized by chemical route and characterized by powder XRD and HR-SEM with EDX studies. The surface treatment of AMB on NiO nanoflakes was confirmed with SEM-EDX results. Fluorescence enhancement was observed due to electron transfer between AMB and NiO nanoflakes. The results of VSM studies showed the paramagnetic behavior in both n-NiO and f-NiO samples; however, the saturation magnetization of functionalized nanoparticles decreased slightly, which is also an evidence for the effective binding of AMB on NiO nanoflakes. Molecular electrostatic potential map showed that the binding process is involved between NiO nanoflakes and azomethine nitrogen, which was confirmed by morphological changes of NiO nanoflakes to AMB-modified NiO nanoflakes. EDX spectrum of AMB-modified NiO nanoflakes visualized the incorporation of AMB to NiO nanoflakes. AMB adsorbs strongly on the surfaces of NiO nanoflakes. It has the largest μgβ0 value and can be used as potential NLO materials.