Flow-through bulk optode for the fluorimetric determination of perchlorate

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science

Background:

• Perchlorate is an environmental contaminant requiring sensitive detection methods.
• Existing methods for perchlorate determination can be time-consuming or require complex instrumentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and characterize a flow-through fluorescence bulk optode for perchlorate determination.
• To evaluate the optode's performance in the flow-injection analysis of perchlorate in environmental water samples.

Main Methods:

• A bulk optode was constructed using a plasticized poly(vinyl) chloride membrane containing fluorescein octadecyl ester and methyl tridodecyl ammonium chloride.
• The optode was integrated into a flow-injection analysis (FI) system for perchlorate detection at pH 4.5.
• Sensor regeneration was achieved using a TRIS buffer at pH 10.4.

Main Results:

• The developed optode demonstrated a rapid response time for perchlorate.
• The analytical characteristics, including dynamic measurement range, reproducibility, and selectivity, were evaluated.
• The FI method successfully determined perchlorate concentrations in diverse water sources.

Conclusions:

• The flow-through fluorescence bulk optode is a viable sensor for the selective and reproducible determination of perchlorate.
• The proposed FI method offers a practical approach for on-site perchlorate monitoring in environmental waters.