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 Cu 2+ ‐specific fluorescence response in aqueous solution with a detection limit for Cu 2+ of ca. 0.65 ppb (10 × 10 −9 M ) under optimized conditions. It can extract Cu 2+ 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 Cu 2+ 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 Cu 2+ in vitro (human breast cancer cells) and in vivo (five‐day‐old zebrafish) demonstrate the possibility of further application in biology.