Design of a highly sensitive fluorescent sensor and its application based on inhibiting NaIO4 oxidizing rhodamine 6G

A novel fluorescent sensor has been designed for the determination of terbutaline sulfate (TBS). It was validated by determining the selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision of analysis. All of the experiments presented in this work were based on the inhibition of NaIO4 oxidizing rhodamine 6G (Rh 6G), which led to a large enhancement of the fluorescence signal. The limit of detection (LOD: 5.8 × 10−12 g mL−1) of this sensor was evaluated and compared with other methods, indicating a better sensitivity for TBS determination using this technique. It has been applied successfully to determine TBS in human serum and urine samples due to the high sensitivity of the sensor. The linear range was from 0.026 to 5.2 ng mL−1, allowing a wide determinable range of TBS. Meanwhile, the mechanism of this sensor was also discussed.