A selective optical chemical sensor for 2,6-dinitrophenol based on fluorescence quenching of a novel functional polymer.

A bifurcated optical fiber based chemical sensor for continuous monitoring of 2,6-dinitrophenol (2,6-DNP) has been proposed based on the reversible chemical reaction between a novel functional poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the sensing material and the analytes. The functional PVC (FPVC), containing a fluorescent curcumin moiety, was synthesized by the nucleophilic substitution of a fraction of the chlorine atoms bound to the PVC backbone by curcumin. When plasticized in a membrane of 5mum thickness, FPVC extracts 2,6-DNP from aqueous solution into the bulk membrane phase and reacts with the analyte to form a complex with low fluorescence efficiency through hydrogen bonding. Formation of the complex gave a significant fluorescence quenching which is suitable for signalling the occurrence of the host-guest interaction. At pH 3.50, the sensor exhibits a dynamic detection range from 2.5x10(-6) to 7.0x10(-3)molL(-1) with a limit of detection of 1.0x10(-6)molL(-1). As 2,6-DNP can provide an optimal space geometry matches to the formation of hydrogen bonds, the sensor shows excellent selectivity for 2,6-DNP over other nitrophenols. The forward and reverse response time (t(95)) of the sensor both was within 1min. The repeatability, reproducibility, and lifetime of the sensor were also satisfied. The sensor was applied to determine 2,6-DNP in water samples successfully.