Hybrid Material of Salen Moieties Functionalized 2D-Iodinated GO: A Fluorescent Chemosensor for Cr³⁺ Ion Detection

This study presents the development of a hybrid material for the selective detection of chromium ions (Cr³⁺) in contaminated water. The material, synthesized by covalently intercalating a poly amino-alcohol into iodinated graphene oxide (GO), introduces multifunctional derivatives (-IO₄, -NH₂, -OH). These functional groups enhance the electron mobility of the material, making it highly effective for Cr³⁺ ion binding. Designed specifically as a chemosensor for Cr³⁺, the hybrid material addresses the environmental challenge of chromium ion contamination with remarkable selectivity, responding exclusively to Cr³⁺ without interference from other ions. The detection mechanism combines photo-induced electron transfer (PET) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) processes, enabling sensitive and precise detection through changes in photoluminescence properties. Extensive characterization confirms the material's structural and optical properties XPS, XRD, SEM, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. The optical response of the hybrid material was studied using UV-visible spectroscopy and Photoluminescence. The hybrid material, labeled as N@i-fGO, performs optimally in neutral pH solutions, ensuring environmental relevance. Its fluorescence-based sensing is highly specific to Cr³⁺ and exhibits no cross-reactivity, underlining its practical utility. The material's potential for environmental monitoring addresses the challenge of chromium ion contamination with a novel and well-characterized hybrid material.