PL sensor for sensitive and selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol based on carbazole and tetraphenylsilane polymer

• Published in: Dyes and pigments 2021-07, Vol.191, p.109379, Article 109379
• Main Authors: Guo, Xue, Gao, Bo, Cui, Xu, Wang, Jihua, Dong, Wenyue, Duan, Qian, Fei, Teng, Su, Zhongmin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Explosive detection; Fluorescence; Nitroaromatics; Photoluminescence sensing
• ISSN: 0143-7208; 1873-3743
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2021.109379

A sensitive and selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) is of great importance for the national security and pollution control. Herein, we report a novel 2,7-carbazole and tetraphenylsilane based polymer PCzSi, and applied it for nitroaromatics sensing. PCzSi shows a deep-blue photoluminescence (PL) emission peaking at 410 nm with a high glass transition temperature and good thermal stability. During the PL titration experiments, the polymer exhibited an obvious PL quenching phenomenon, with different extent towards different nitroaromatic analytes. Remarkably, a selective detection of TNP was realized using our polymer sensor, and the KSV value towards TNP is two orders of magnitude higher than 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and 1,3,5-trinitrobenzene (TNB). The sensing mechanism was further discussed to clarify the selectivity towards TNP based on the analysis of UV–vis absorption, excitation and PL spectra and cyclic voltammogram results. In addition, the paper strips were fabricated to detect both TNP solution and vapor, which demonstrates a good potential of our polymer for practical and on-site application as a solid PL sensor of TNP. •A deep blue emissive polymer PCzSi was designed and synthesized.•PCzSi solution displays a good sensitivity in PL detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol.•PCzSi realizes a high sensitivity and selectivity for 2,4,6-trinitrophenol detection.•Paper strips test indicates a great potential of PCzSi as solid explosive sensor.