Polythiophene Imprinted CeO۲ Fluorescent Probe for Lead Detection in Tab Water Samples

The development of real-time, highly sensitive and selective, simple technique for detection of toxic Pb۲+ in water was challenged. However, in this study a highly efficient fluorescent probe based on polythiophene imprinted CeO۲ nanocomposite for selective detection of Pb۲+ ion was developed by polymerization method. The developed fluorescent probe was characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier- Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Upon binding to the imprinted binding sites PT/CeO۲ the Pb۲+ interacts with the molecular orbital and their fluorescence is quenched via reverse photoinduced electron transfer which result the qualitative and quantitative detection. The factor affecting the detection system such as pH and concentration are optimized. Additionally, the PT/CeO۲ fluorescent sensor exhibits highly sensitive with stern Volmer quenching (KSV) value of ۶.۳۹ x ۱۰۳ M-۱. The practical application of the sensor also tested by spiked with different concentration of Pb۲+ ion solutions on tab water samples. The result indicates a good linear relation between FO/F and the spiked concentrations with coefficient of regression R۲ = ۰.۹۹ (n= ۳) and also confirms that the found values is agreed well with the spiked amount. The obtained amounts of lead metal ion concentrations in tap water were ۱۵.۳۹ μM which exceeded the allowable limit as stated by WHO.

Keywords:

Imprinted , Fluorescence sensor , Polythiophene , quenching , Toxic heavy metal