A dansyl-based fluorescent film: Preparation and sensitive detection of nitroaromatics in aqueous phase

A novel fluorescent film sensor for the detection of nitroaromatics in aqueous phase has been developed via chemical immobilization of dansyl chromophores on an epoxy-terminated self-assembled monolayer on glass slide surfaces. Chemical attachment of the chromophore on the substrate surface endows the present film a satisfying stability and avoids the leaching of the chromophores. Increase in the length of the spacer connecting the sensing element and the substrate results in a dramatic improvement in the performance of the film compared to those with similar structures. Fluorescence quenching experiments demonstrates that in aqueous medium, the emission of the film is more sensitive to nitrobenzene (NB) than to other nitroaromatics, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene, 2,4-dinitrotoluene, p-chloronitrobenzene, m-dinitrobenzene, p-dinitrobenzene, and o-chloronitrobenzene, etc. This exceptional result has been rationalized by considering the possible hindrance effect induced by the compact conformation of the long flexible spacer. It is also demonstrated that the NB quenching is static in nature, and the response of the film to NB is fast and reversible.