Facile synthesis of amino-functionalized polyphosphazene microspheres and their application for highly sensitive fluorescence detection of Fe3+

Amino-functionalized highly crosslinked organic-inorganic hybrid polyphosphazene microspheres were prepared via a one-pot polycondensation method and served as a fluorescent sensor for the detection of Fe3+ in solution. With the introduction of p-phenylenediamine unites, the polyphosphazene microspheres could be endowed with fluorescent property and abundant active amino groups on the surface. The microspheres were further used as the fluorescent sensor for the detection of Fe3+. Fluorescence study showed high sensing sensitivity and selectivity of the microspheres, and the limit of detection was determined as 0.076 mu M for Fe3+. Active amino groups on the surface could efficiently improve the detection sensitivity of Fe3+. Moreover, highly crosslinked organic-inorganic hybrid structure was beneficial to the photostability and thermostability, enabled the microspheres to be possible for constructing practicable sensors. This work is expected to inspire the design of advanced polyphosphazene-based fluorescent sensors for applications in analytical detection. (c) 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48937.