A europium (III) complex-based surface fluorescence sensor for the determination of uranium (VI)

Abstract

In this paper, we report a method for the determination of uranium (VI) based on the using of a surface fluorescence sensor containing a europium (III) complex. The sensor was prepared by immobilizing the Eu(III)-salophen complex on a glass slide surface through Si–O covalent bonds. The sensor can generate strong surface fluorescence as a result of the Cation–Cation Interaction between U (VI) and Eu(III). We used this property to design a surface fluorescence sensing method to detect U (VI). Under suitable conditions, the linear range was 0.02–5 nmol mL−1 and the detection limit was 8 × 10−3 nmol mL−1. This method was successfully used in determine U (VI) in real samples with a recovery rate between 99.5 and 103.5%.