Fluorescence detection and adsorption of Zr⁴⁺ using pyrene incorporated mesoporous silica material

A mesoporous silica composite featuring a pyrene fluorophore, designated as PyCl-SBA-15, was successfully synthesized for the simultaneous fluorescence-based detection and adsorptive removal of zirconium ions (Zr⁴⁺). The composite exhibited characteristic fluorescence emission from pyrene excimers at 473 nm. Upon coordination with Zr⁴⁺ through donation of electron lone pairs from nitrogen and oxygen atoms, the photo-induced electron transfer process was inhibited and the interpyrene ring distance was shortened, resulting in fluorescence enhancement at 473 nm. PyCl-SBA-15 achieved a low detection limit of 1.8 × 10^-7 M and exhibited excellent anti-interference properties. Furthermore, the material exhibited remarkable adsorption performance for Zr⁴⁺, with a fitted maximum adsorption value of 447 mg/g. To address practical application challenges, a cellulose acetate (CA)-based PyCl-SBA-15 membrane was developed, which eliminated the need for centrifugal separation of powdered materials, thereby greatly simplifying operational procedures, reducing time requirements, and enhancing the material's practical utility. The integration of sensitive detection, high-capacity adsorption, and facile membrane-based operation in PyCl-SBA-15 renders it a promising candidate for efficient Zr⁴⁺ monitoring and removal across diverse applications.