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Fluorescence sensing of picric acid by ceria nanostructures prepared using fenugreek extract

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Abstract

Easy and fast detection of aquatic pollutants is highly desirable to avoid water contamination. This work is focused on the fluorescence detection of picric acid in water using sol–gel ceria nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of fenugreek extract. The nanostructure and material morphology of cubic phase fluorite ceria are analyzed using X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Optical studies indicated its strong absorbance and intense photoluminescence emission. Sensing of picric acid is performed here by investigating the fluorescence quenching of the nanoparticle dispersion. Ceria showed a linear concentration range of 0.33–41.6 µM with a lower detection limit of 0.33 µM picric acid. The strong binding interaction between the nanoceria and picric acid is indicated from the high Stern–Volmer constant. The CeO2 nanoparticles are selective to picric acid with other phenolic compounds and also found to be sensitive to picric acid in real water samples.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge SAIF- STIC CUSAT, Kochi, India for XRD and TEM analyses. CSIF, University of Calicut, is acknowledged for SEM and UV-Vis DRS analyses. IIT Kanpur is acknowledged for XPS analysis and PSG Institute of advanced studies, Coimbatore for Raman analysis. Sree Neelakanta College Pattambi, Palakkad, and the University of Calicut are acknowledged for extending the facilities to carry out the research work. DST, New Delhi, India is acknowledged for instrumental support under the FIST scheme.

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  1. Department of Chemistry, SreeNeelakanta Government Sanskrit College, Pattambi, Palakkad, 679306, Kerala, India

    K. C. Remani & N. N. Binitha

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Remani, K.C., Binitha, N.N. Fluorescence sensing of picric acid by ceria nanostructures prepared using fenugreek extract. J IRAN CHEM SOC 19, 619–633 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13738-021-02327-4

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