Bio-polymer starch thin film sensors for low concentration detection of cyanide anions in water

Starch films containing a chemodosimeter probe based on a quinolinium merocyanine dye were successfully prepared and studied. Through the selective nucleophilic addition reaction between cyanide anions and the dye chromophore the film can selectively detect sub-micromolar quantities of cyanide ion by a distinct color change. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.