Conjugated Polyelectrolyte Based Sensitive Detection and Removal of Antibiotics Tetracycline from Water

A new conjugated polyelectrolyte poly[5,5'-(((2-phenyl-9H-fluorene-9,9-diyl)bis(hexane-6,1-diyl))bis(oxy))diisophthalate] sodium (PFPT) was synthesized via the palladium-catalyzed Suzuki cross-coupling polymerization method and successfully applied for the rapid, real time, and highly sensitive detection of antibiotics tetracycline (Tc) in 100% aqueous media via photoinduced electron transfer with detection limit in the ppb level. Remarkably, PFPT could also be applied for the trace analysis of Tc in serum samples having recoveries well in the range 92-97% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.01-1.14%, confirming reliability of the present method for the analysis of Tc. Additionally, PFPT was blended with the abundant natural polysaccharide chitosan to form CS-PFPT composite films and developed as a biopolymer based membrane for the removal of Tc from water samples with a good adsorption capacity of 3.12 mg g^-1, thus finding vital application in the treatment of antibiotic infested wastewater.