A highly selective and sensitive spectroscopic method for detection of Cu2+ in aqueous solution using polyaniline

In this present work, we have developed a facile and sensitive route for detection of Cu (II) in aqueous solution. When trace amount of copper (II) ion was introduced to the polyaniline which forms a PANI-Cu2+ complex. This could be confirmed by naked eye detection and UV-Visible absorption spectrum. A linear response (R-2 = 0.998) was observed between absorbance and concentration of Cu2+ with limit of detection (LOD) of 2.62 mu M. Polyaniline showed a high selectivity and sensitivity towards copper (II) ions among the metal ions investigated. In addition, PANI impregnated polymer matrix was prepared for effective bead based detection of copper ions.