Application of a tailor-made polymer as a selective and sensitive colorimetric sensor for reliable detection of trace levels of uranyl ions in complex matrices

Abstract

In this study, a new colorimetric chemosensor based on ion imprinted polymer nanoparticles was designed for quantitative detection of uranyl ions at trace levels in environmental water samples. The removal and pre-concentration of uranyl ions using the synthesized imprinted polymer was performed at optimized condition and color of the sorbent was changed from yellow to violet. UO 2 2+ -imprinted polymer nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation polymerization technique. The sorbent was characterized using solid state UV-Vis analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), elemental analysis (CHN) and fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FT-IR). The color change provides a simple, rapid and reliable method for the sensitive and selective visual detection of trace levels of uranyl ions without the need of sophisticated instruments. The color of the sorbent in the absence and presence of uranyl ions shifts from yellow to violet. The method detection limit of the synthesized chemo-sensor for uranyl ions was 0.0005 ppm. The method was successfully applied for trace detection of uranyl ions in distilled, tap, Caspian Sea and Persian Gulf water samples.

Synthesis and Application of a New Polymer with Imprinted Ions for the Preconcentration of Uranium in Natural Water Samples and Determination by Digital Imaging

“…The uranyl (VI)-ion imprinted polymer (U(VI)-IIPs) was created using a modified version methodology of Behbahani et al [ 37 ]. In the first step, uranyl acetate was combined with Br-PADAP in a mixture of acetonitrile and dimethyl sulfoxide to create a print ion template.…”

Smartphone-assisted colorimetric determination of uranyl ions in aqueous solutions

“…Owing to quick responsiveness, simple equipment, and apparent colour changes, 31,32 numerous colorimetric sensors have been developed for UO 2 2+ determination. [33][34][35][36] The optical lens and image processing capabilities of smartphones have been gradually enhanced and strengthened with the flourishing of the smartphone field. 37 Much research has been conducted to integrate colorimetry with smartphones, [38][39][40][41] considerably strengthening the precision and convenience of colorimetric sensors.…”

Colorimetric detection of Hg2+ using a mixture of an anionic azo dye and a cationic polyelectrolyte in aqueous solution

“…The detection of heavy metal ions is of significance for analytical, biomedical and environmental chemistry due to their adverse effects on human health and the global environment. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12] Among heavy metal ions, mercury is considered as one of the most extremely toxic and dangerous metal ions for the environment and human health because of its easy accumulation and difficult biodegradation. [13][14][15] Mercury has been widely used in batteries, paints and electronic equipment, leading to an increase of its release to the environment.…”