A commercially available dye as a highly versatile colorimetric fluoride sensor

Vincent Joseph, Jenisha John Peter, Tanya Bachu, Judah Hilewitz, Flavio Grynszpan, Mindy Levine

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Reported herein is the successful use of the commercially available organic dye bromocresol green (compound 1) for high-performing and practical fluoride detection. This dye responds to fluoride anion with high selectivity (virtually no response to other halide anions), excellent sensitivity (limits of detection as low as 0.22 ppm) and rapid response times, and maintains functionality when it is adsorbed on filter paper. Mechanistic studies determined that the fluoride-induced colorimetric changes were due to intermolecular hydrogen bonding between compound 1 and fluoride. Finally, the broad applicability of this sensor was demonstrated through the colorimetric response of compound 1 – functionalized paper to fluoride in commercial mouthwash. These findings underscore compound 1’s potential as a practical and commercially viable fluoride sensor, in addition to compound 1’s better-known role as a colorimetric pH indicator.

Original languageEnglish
Article number111944
JournalMicrochemical Journal
Volume207
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024

Keywords

  • Bromocresol green
  • Colorimetric sensor
  • Fluoride detection
  • Paper-based sensor

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

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