Highly sensitive fluorescent single-chain polymeric nanoparticles as chemosensors for selective Fe3+ detection

Abstract

This work describes a straightforward technique for preparing single–chain polymeric nanoparticles by photodimerization of pendant anthracene moieties on the side chain of styrenic and acrylic based linear polymers. The resulting single–chain polymeric nanoparticles (SCNPs) are then converted into pyrene functional nanoparticles through the simple Diels–Alder post–functionalization method. Polymeric nanoparticles containing maleimide and pyrene entities were deployed as a chemosensor capable of selectively detecting Fe3+ ions. Adding Fe3+ ions into achieved nanoparticle medium, color change is readily visible with unaided eye. The chemosensor\"s ability to sense Fe3+ ions remained unaltered by the presence of other metal ions, such as Al3+, Ba2+, Ca2+, Cr3+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, NH4+, Ni2+, and Sn2+. These results suggest that functional SCNP is a potential probe of Fe3+ ions and it will be beneficial for future SCNP sensor design. They exhibit high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of Fe3+ in the micromolar concentration range, making it a promising tool for Fe3+ detection even in the presence of other common interfering metal ions.