Ultra-sensitive detection of pyridine in water using zinc porphyrin incorporated in a transparent hydrophobic film

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the axial coordination reaction between pyridine and zinc meso-tetra(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (ZnTPPS) incorporated in a transparent layered double hydroxide (LDH) film modified with 1-decanesulfonate (C10S) in an aqueous solution. The apparent equilibrium constant ($${K}_{11}$$ K 11 ) of the axial coordination reaction between pyridine and ZnTPPS incorporated in the transparent ZnTPPS/C10S/LDH film was approximately 260 times that of the corresponding reaction in an aqueous solution. The hydrophobisation of the LDH interlayer space by C10S, which led to the elimination of water molecules surrounding ZnTPPS and enabled the accumulation of pyridine molecules, was responsible for such a significant increase in the apparent $${K}_{11}$$ K 11 value. The developed film can detect pyridine in aqueous solutions with ultra-high sensitivity in the order of 10−5 mol/L through changes in the colour tone, which is comparable to the molecular detection ability of insect antennae. The sensing response was also observed at pyridine concentrations as low as 10−9 mol/L.