Fluorescent Property of Chitosan Oligomer and Its Application as a Metal Ion Sensor

An aqueous solution was successfully prepared using a low-molecular-weight chitosan oligomer and FITC, and its structural and fluorescent properties were observed by using (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, FT-IR, XRD, UV-Vis, and PL spectrometry. Its application as a metal ion sensor was also evaluated. The fluorescence in the water-soluble chitosan oligomer was a result of the carbamato anion (NHCOO-), and a synthesized FITC-labeled chitosan oligomer exhibited an effective detection effect for copper ion as well as energy transfer by the ion near FITC that caused a fluorescence decrease (quenching). The chitosan oligomer was confirmed to be applicable as a selective and sensitive colorimetric sensor to detect Cu(2+).