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Sulfonamide functionalized silica nano-composite: characterization and fluorescence “turn-on” detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous samples

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Abstract

We have synthesized novel sulfonamide-based nano-composite (SAN) for selective and sensitive detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous samples. Morphological characterization of SAN was carried out with TGA, FT-IR, UV–Vis, ninhydrin assay, FE-SEM, pXRD, BET, EDX, and elemental analysis. The sensing nature, effect of pH, sensor concentration and response time analysis were accomplished with the help of emission spectral studies and SAN was assessed as “turn-on” emission detector for the biologically important Fe3+ ions. Here, the LOD and LOQ were computed to be 26.68 nM and 88.93 nM, respectively, and it was found to be much lower than the permissible limit of Fe3+ ions in drinking water. The accuracy of the sensor (SAN) was determined by testing the aqueous samples spiked with known concentrations of Fe3+ ions and results demonstrated 98.00–99.66% recovery, which made SAN a reliable, selective and sensitive chemosensor for the quantification of Fe3+ ions in fully aqueous media.

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Acknowledgements

Ekta acknowledges the Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship from the University Grants Commission in New Delhi. We also like to thank Dr. Kamaljit Singh (Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar (Punjab)) for his essential assistance.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, 141004, India

    Ekta & Divya Utreja

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Ekta, Utreja, D. Sulfonamide functionalized silica nano-composite: characterization and fluorescence “turn-on” detection of Fe3+ ions in aqueous samples. Photochem Photobiol Sci 22, 1919–1931 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43630-023-00421-5

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