Efficient dual sensor of alternate nanomaterials for sensitive and rapid monitoring of ultra-trace phenols in sea water

Abstract

Composite using mesoporous silica and organic ligand was employed for efficient dual detection of toxic phenols from waste samples. The organic ligand of 4-amino antipyrine (4-AAP) was successfully conjugated onto the mesoporous nanosphere and then captured the phenols under suitable conditions. 4-AAP sensor provides sensitive, fast, cheap, and dual determination of phenolic compounds through spectrofluorometric and visual detection. The sensitive naked-eye detection of phenolic compounds using 4-AAP proceeds within a few minutes. The low limit of detection as well as the quantification limit was recorded by both methods fluorimetric and colorimetric methods. 4-AAP sensor was applied for the determination of phenol in water samples collected from Suez Bay. Validation of the new method was achieved through comparison the obtained results with other established method using gas chromatography. The data emphasized that the proposed sensor is high suitable for phenols capturing from contaminated water according to its selectivity, sensitivity, cost-effective, and eco-friendly approach.