Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples

Herein, we designed a novel benzothiazole-based fluorophore that combines aggregation-induced emission (AIE), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanisms in the behavior of “kill three birds with one stone”. The synthesized fluorophore ex...

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Main Authors: Asmaa Kamal El-Deen, Galal Magdy, Eslam A. Ghaith, Yhiya Amen, Ahmed R. Ali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-12-01
Series:Talanta Open
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666831925000955
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author Asmaa Kamal El-Deen
Galal Magdy
Eslam A. Ghaith
Yhiya Amen
Ahmed R. Ali
author_facet Asmaa Kamal El-Deen
Galal Magdy
Eslam A. Ghaith
Yhiya Amen
Ahmed R. Ali
author_sort Asmaa Kamal El-Deen
collection DOAJ
description Herein, we designed a novel benzothiazole-based fluorophore that combines aggregation-induced emission (AIE), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanisms in the behavior of “kill three birds with one stone”. The synthesized fluorophore exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and a large Stokes shift (> 200 nm) arising from the synergistic effect of the three mechanisms. This enables effective separation of excitation and emission wavelengths, thereby reducing spectral interference and enhancing precision. The synergistic effect of these mechanisms has been thoroughly investigated and utilized as a multifaceted framework for developing an efficient fluorescent probe capable of determining tebuconazole in environmental water and soil samples. The probe demonstrates remarkable fluorescence quenching in the presence of tebuconazole with outstanding sensitivity over a linear range of 0.32–26.0 µM and a low detection limit of 0.08 µM. Furthermore, the quenching mechanisms were investigated. Static quenching was favored, and theoretical simulation studies confirmed the interaction mechanism. This work elucidates the fluorescence mechanisms, providing an innovative approach for the development of advanced probes with enhanced sensitivity across various fields, such as environmental monitoring and chemical analysis.
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issn 2666-8319
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publishDate 2025-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-cfccdbcda69443ac88f51cc7122e70922025-08-20T02:17:28ZengElsevierTalanta Open2666-83192025-12-011210049310.1016/j.talo.2025.100493Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samplesAsmaa Kamal El-Deen0Galal Magdy1Eslam A. Ghaith2Yhiya Amen3Ahmed R. Ali4Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; Department of Agro-Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University, 819-0395, Fukuoka, Japan; Corresponding authors.Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafrelsheikh 33511, Egypt; Department of Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura National University, Gamasa 7731168, EgyptChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt; Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, New Mansoura University, New Mansoura City, EgyptDepartment of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, EgyptDepartment of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt; Corresponding authors.Herein, we designed a novel benzothiazole-based fluorophore that combines aggregation-induced emission (AIE), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) mechanisms in the behavior of “kill three birds with one stone”. The synthesized fluorophore exhibits a high fluorescence quantum yield and a large Stokes shift (> 200 nm) arising from the synergistic effect of the three mechanisms. This enables effective separation of excitation and emission wavelengths, thereby reducing spectral interference and enhancing precision. The synergistic effect of these mechanisms has been thoroughly investigated and utilized as a multifaceted framework for developing an efficient fluorescent probe capable of determining tebuconazole in environmental water and soil samples. The probe demonstrates remarkable fluorescence quenching in the presence of tebuconazole with outstanding sensitivity over a linear range of 0.32–26.0 µM and a low detection limit of 0.08 µM. Furthermore, the quenching mechanisms were investigated. Static quenching was favored, and theoretical simulation studies confirmed the interaction mechanism. This work elucidates the fluorescence mechanisms, providing an innovative approach for the development of advanced probes with enhanced sensitivity across various fields, such as environmental monitoring and chemical analysis.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666831925000955FluorescenceESIPTAIEICTTebuconazoleEnvironmental monitoring
spellingShingle Asmaa Kamal El-Deen
Galal Magdy
Eslam A. Ghaith
Yhiya Amen
Ahmed R. Ali
Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
Talanta Open
Fluorescence
ESIPT
AIE
ICT
Tebuconazole
Environmental monitoring
title Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
title_full Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
title_fullStr Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
title_full_unstemmed Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
title_short Beyond conventional sensing: A multifunctional benzothiazole-based fluorophore with ESIPT-AIE-ICT synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
title_sort beyond conventional sensing a multifunctional benzothiazole based fluorophore with esipt aie ict synergy for the ultrasensitive determination of tebuconazole in environmental samples
topic Fluorescence
ESIPT
AIE
ICT
Tebuconazole
Environmental monitoring
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666831925000955
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