“…The selectivity abilities of the sensor L were determined by monitoring changes of the UV-vis absorption spectra and fluorescence spectra in the presence of various metal ions (Na + , K + , Ag + , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Co 2+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , Zn 2+ , Cd 2+ , Hg 2+ , Fe 2+ , Pb 2+ , Al 3+ , Cr 3+ , Fe 3+ , La 3+ , Ce 3+ ) in the 10 μmol L -1 concentration of each component in ethanol solution (Figure 2). It could be seen from Figure 2a that the absorption spectrum of sensor L exhibited two bands at 295 nm and 382 nm, corresponding to the π-π* transition of the aromatic rings and n-π* transition of the C=N group respectively which also were supported by the formation of the sensor L. 28,29 Upon addition of Al 3+ , Fe 3+ , Cr 3+ , La 3+ and Ce 3+ ions, two significant absorption bands centered at about 250 nm and 327 nm were clearly observed, while the bands at 295 nm and 382 nm disappeared. Meanwhile, these changes were also accompanied with a nakyed-eye color variation from pale yellow to colorless after addition of Al 3+ , Fe 3+ , Cr 3+ , La 3+ and Ce 3+ ions (Figure 2a inset).…”