Neliswa Mama
Nelson Mandela University
Title: Synthesis and applications of fluorescent poly(coumarin-triazole) for metal ion sensing
Biography
Biography: Neliswa Mama
Abstract
Over the past few years, several analytical techniques for the determination of metal ions have been developed. These include, spectrophotometry, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES), voltammetric, atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV-AAS) and neutron activation analysis. The disadvantages of these methods is that, they require expensive instruments, well-controlled experimental conditions, time consuming and complicated sample preparations.1 On the other hand, the use of chemosensors has attracted a great deal of attention due to their simplicity and selective for the detection of metal ions.
The application of fluorescent conjugated polymers as chemosensors for metal ions has been a powerful tool in the recent years1. The use of these chemosensors have attracted considerable attention due to their ability to detect metal ions at very low concentrations2-3
In this study, fluorescent poly(coumarin-triazole) A and B were prepared in excellent yields by a well-established Cu(I)-catalysed click polymerization. The application of these novel polymers as chemosensors was investigated using a range of metal ions.