In this study, a novel rhodamine-based optically and
electrochemically
active chemosensor, integrated with a p-DMAC moiety, demonstrated
extremely selective identification of Au3+ ions relative
to other metal species, including (Li+, Na+,
K+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Mg2+,
Co2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, Hg2+, Fe3+, Cd2+, Pd2+, Al3+, Cr3+, Cu2+, and nitrate salt of Ag+). These compounds
demonstrated a novel and outstanding aggregation-induced emission
enhancement (AIEE) behavior by aggregating in DMF/H2O medium.
Furthermore, the degree of quenching was varying linearly with a Au3+ concentration from 0 to 40 nM, with a lower detection limit
by RH-DMAC nanoaggregates of 118.79 picomolar (40.35 ppm). The Stern–Volmer
plots, Job’s plot, Benesi–Hildebrand plot, 1H NMR titrations, ESI-mass, and FTIR all revealed significant interactions
between the sensor and Au3+. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical
sensor afforded a linear correlation before the peak current and concentration
of Au3+ in the range of 0–40 nM, with a detection
limit of 483.73 pM or 164.36 ppt (by cyclic voltammetry method) and
298.0 pM or 101.24 ppt (by the Differential Pulse Voltammetry method).
Furthermore, the proposed sensing assay was used to measure Au3+ ion in spiked water samples (tap, drinking, waste, and river
water), achieving acceptable accuracy and precision with high recovery
rates. Furthermore, RH-DMAC-coated fluorescence paper test strips
were designed for on-site Au3+ detection. Apart from this,
the use of smartphone-based RGB (Red Green Blue) color analysis shortened
the operating process, accelerated the detection technique, and provided
a novel methodology for the instantaneous, real-time examination of
Au3+ in real water samples.