A Zn²⁺ optical sensor and logic actuator using Schiff base functionalized mesoporous material

One simple binaphthyl-bridged salicylidene Schiff base (2,2'-bis(3,5- dichloro-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-1,1'-binaphthyl (BCHB)) was successfully synthesised and modified into the channel of mesoporous molecular sieve SBA-15, which was functionalized with 3-aminapropyltriethoxysilane, through the hydrogen bond assembly. Detailed characterizations such as X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-vis diffuse-reflectance spectra indicate that the hexagonally ordered mesoporous structure has been retained in good condition, and this organic/inorganic hybrid material exhibits different photochemical property from ligand itself and selective recognition of Zn²⁺ among other metal ions. Furthermore, stimulated by the inputs of Zn²⁺ and UV irradiation, an INHIBIT logic function can be developed with fluorescence emission as the output.