A novel dichromate-sensitive fluorescent nano-chemosensor using new functionalized SBA-15

A novel fluorescence nano-chemosensor for Cr2O72- anion has been developed by assembly of fluorescent aluminum complex of 8-hydroxyquinoline (AlQ(x)) within the channels of modified SBA-15. SBA-SPS-AlQ(x) shows a fluorescence emission at 486 nm. The observed remarkable fluorescence of SBA-SPS-AlQ(x) quenches in presence of Cr2O72- anion. The results showed that this fluorescent nano-material can be a useful chemo-sensor for determination of dichromate anions in aqueous solutions. The linear detecting range of fluorescent nano-chemosensor for Cr2O72- anion was 0.16-2.9 mu mol L-1. The lowest limit of detection (LDL) was also found to be 0.2 ng mL(-1) in aqueous solutions. SBA-SPS-AlQ(x) showed selectively and sensitively fluorescent quenching response toward Cr2O72- ion in comparison with I-3(-), NO3-, CN-, CO32-, Br-, Cl-, F-, H2PO4- and SO42- ions, which was because of the higher stability of its inorganic complex with dichromate ion. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.