Highly sensitive solid-state fluorescent sensor immobilized on silica nanoparticles for direct detection dimethyl phenol in seawater samples

Abstract

Europium(III)-2-aminoterphthalate complex Eu2-(ATPh)3 was prepared and successfully immobilized on mesoporous silica nanosphere (MSNs) to form Eu2(ATPh)3/ MSNs solid sensor and then used for fluorometric detection of 2,6 dimethyl phenol under suitable conditions. The prepared Eu2-(ATPh)3 and Eu2(ATPh)3/ MSNs solids were characterized by several techniques. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for 2,6 dimethyl phenol was from 0.2–10 μmol L−1. The correlation coefficient for the calibration curve, limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification were 0.9939,0.29 μmol L−1 and 0.97 μmol L−1, respectively. The Stern Volmer constant and binding constant between Eu2(ATPh)3/ MSNs solid sensor and 2,6 dimethyl phenol were calculated. The validated method was accurate and precise for monitoring 2,6 dimethyl phenol in Suez Bay water using gas chromatography. The effect of other interfering compounds was examined to confirm the selectivity of Eu2(ATPh)3/ MSNs sensor. The recovery by three replicates (n = 3) and reusability of the Eu2(ATPh)3/ MSNs sensor have been also examined. The data indicated that the Eu2(ATPh)3/ MSNs solid sensor is suitable for efficient, fast, selective, sensitive and direct determination of 2,6 dimethyl phenol from seawater