Free-radical sensing by using naphthalimide based mesoporous silica (MCM-41) nanoparticles: A combined fluorescence and cellular imaging study

Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles in Chemical Detection: From Small Species to Large Bio-Molecules

“…The development of fluorescent sensors for these species has encountered two obstacles: on the one hand, water-soluble systems are needed, and, on the other, being highly reactive species, the interaction with the sensor normally causes a fluorescence quenching, losing sensitivity. In 2018, a new fluorescent sensor based on the amino and hydrazino derivatives of 1,8-naphthalimide linked to MCM 41 was published, giving rise to a hybrid fluorescent material ( Figure 11 ) [ 42 ]. Compared to that of the amine group, the hydrazine group has a relatively less electron donating capability due to the electron withdrawing effect of the second nitrogen atom; the breakdown of the N-N bond by free radicals caused a considerable increase in fluorescence intensity at λ exc = 540 nm, in the acetonitrile:water solvent.…”