Development of hydrazide based fluorescence probe for detection of Al3+ ions and application in live cell image

[Display omitted] •Hydrazide based fluorescence probe for detection of Al3+ ions.•Therotical calculations (DFT) were carried out for probe (SCH) and Al3+-SCH.•Life time decay were carried out.•SCH and Al3+-SCH used for cellular imaging sensor in MCF-7 cells Development of highly specific and susceptible sensors for aluminium (Al3+ ions) determination in water medium is still a remarkable task. Herein, a fluorescence probe (SCH) is derived from the condensation of salicyaldehyde and carbohydrazide in 2:1 M ratio and promising chemical sensing of Al3+ ions is investigated. Examinations of the emission features of SCH in CH3OH:H2O (1:2, v/v) solution showed excellent turn on behaviour of Al3+ ions, which is due to 1:1 complex formation between SCH and the Al3+ ions at ambient conditions. The lowest limit of detection was estimated by emission titration experiments and found to be 32 nM which is much more 1000-fold lower than that WHO suggested maximum tolerable concentration. The present probe SCH was highly specific for the detection of Al3+ ions over other potential interfering metal cations. Based on the reversible emission behaviour, an INHIBIT logic gate was assembled with EDTA and Al3+ ions as two inputs. In addition, prospective application of SCH as cellular imaging sensor of Al3+ ions in MCF-7 cells was monitored using optical fluorescence microscopic images and real water samples.