Synthesis and Photophysical Behavior of Pyrene-Bearing Cellulose Nanocrystals for Fe3+ Sensing

Cellulose nanocrystals are converted into fluorescent labeling nanoparticles (Py-CNC) by a three-step procedure. The fluorescence emission of pyrene is enhanced after the modification to cellulose nanocrystals. Py-CNC is evaluated for its sensing ability towards metal ions and exhibits high selectivity towards Fe3+ among other screened metal ions with good discrimination between Fe2+ and Fe3+. The excellent selectivity for Fe3+ over a wide linear concentration range is observed through changes in the emission spectra. Spectroscopic analyses prove that the coordination interaction between Fe3+ and pyrene-modified cellulose nanocrystals leads to the recognition process. This sensing nanomaterial can be employed as a chemosensor for Fe3+ and promoted for many applications in chemical, environmental, and biological systems.