Detection of o‐nitro aniline by bovine serum albumin based self‐fluorescent hydrogel via FRET process

Abstract

AbstractSelective and sensitive detection of nitroaromatic compounds is recent concern for both security purpose and pollution control. Nitroaromatics are either explosive in nature or used in preparation of explosives and they inherently carry the toxic property. Herein, a selective and rapid detection of ortho nitro aniline (o‐NA) by glutaraldehyde cross‐linked bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein functionalized auto fluorescent hydrogel (BG) in aqueous medium is reported. The hydrogel is characterized by Scanning electron microscope, rheology, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering. The change in conformation due to gelation of BSA is supported by FTIR with alternation of peak intensity and position, DLS with increased average particle size, UV–vis spectra having different kind of peaks after gelation and SEM image with porous morphology. A good linear relationship of fluorescence detection of o‐NA is observed in range of 0–3 × 10−4 (M) with the detection limit of 35 μM. The sensing procedure is performed by involving dried BG gel in aqueous medium. The possible quenching process is established via FRET mechanism between BG gel and o‐NA showing high selectivity and sensitivity towards the detection of o‐NA over the other nitroaromatics and common ions present in water.