Multifunctional Mesoporous Silica Material Used for Detection and Adsorption of Cu2+ in Aqueous Solution and Biological Applications in vitro and in vivo

An inorganic–organic silica material (SBA–P2), prepared by immobilization of the 1,8‐naphthalimide‐based receptor P2 within the channels of the mesoporous silica material SBA‐15, is characterized by transmission electron microscopy and several spectroscopic methods. SBA–P2 features a high affinity Cu²⁺‐specific fluorescence response in aqueous solution with a detection limit for Cu²⁺ of ca. 0.65 ppb (10 × 10^?9 M ) under optimized conditions. It can extract Cu²⁺ from the solution with only trace amounts remaining. Through isolating of the toxic ions within the mesopores of the silica, SBA–P2 has the potential to work as a toxicide for Cu²⁺ in living systems. The fluorogenical responses are reversible and do not vary over a broad (4.0 to 9.0) pH range suitable for application under physiological conditions. The fluorescence responses of Cu²⁺ in vitro (human breast cancer cells) and in vivo (five‐day‐old zebrafish) demonstrate the possibility of further application in biology.