Symposium EL10: Understanding the Inorganic-Organic Interface—The Case of Colloidal Nanoscale Materials
December 07, 2023
Merve Karabiyik, Izmir Institute of Technology
Selective On-Off-On Polymer Bonded Quantum Dot-Nitroxide Radical Fluorescent Sensor to Detect Cd2+ Ion in Aqueous Media
Written by- Mruganka Parasnis
Heavy metal pollution is a serious issue and can cause long-lasting health problems. WHO has determined Cd as pollution due to high exposure in the environment. A sensitive and selective analytical method for its detection is a need of the hour. Many techniques have been used such as AAS, AES, ICP. However, new and powerful techniques such as fluorescent sensors can be used for the detection of heavy metals in which the selection of fluorophore is based on molar absorption coefficient. In this study Merve Karabiyik and colleagues developed a polymer-based fluorescent sensor with high mechanical strength. Development of a polymer-based nanoprobe complex was through the integration of QD4AT complex on polymer surface due to the electron transfer. iCVD process was used in thin film polymer coatings, for the integration of QD nitroxide radical formations which had many advantages as it can be used at lower temperatures, high deposition rates, with a variety of substrates. Poly glycidyl methacrylate (PGMA) had a high strength and functionality due to SH, NH2, OH groups observed through FTIR. The covalent bond to PGMA was through epoxy ring opening interactions. Polymer functionalization with amine group enhanced the detection limit and sensitivity of Cd. A good linear response was obtained for fluorescence intensities and Cd detection. Along with Cd, other heavy metals were also successfully detected.