Associate Professor Dr Chatthai Kaewtong, a researcher from the Department of Chemistry, the Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, and his team published an article in the Journal of Applied Polymer Science. The publication entitled “Spray coating thin polymeric sensor films for Au3+.”

The researchers invent spray coating thin polymeric sensor films. A novel polymeric sensor of the poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS)-modified rhodamine B derivative (Rho) was synthesized using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N,N′ dimethylpyridin-4-amine (DMAP) as coupling reagents to obtain PSS-Rho4 in 21% yield. The characterization and “Off–On” sensing phenomena were established through UV–Vis, fluorescence, NMR, and FTIR techniques. The PSS-Rho4 showed high selectivity and sensitivity for Au3+ over other metal ions. Upon the addition of Au3+, significant color change and “Off–On” fluorescence were observed due to a cation Au3+ induced spirolactam ring-opening process with detection limit down to micromolar values (1.2 μM). In addition, spray coating thin polymeric sensor films were produced onto the surface of material (PSS-Rho4-ITO and PSS-Rho4-filtered paper) providing a fast, portable, and easy-to-use molecular device for the detection of Au3+ in the real system. Reversibility was evaluated by rinsing with EDTA solution under basic conditions. We believe that this approach provides a sensitive and accurate method for the detection of Au3+ in environmental and biological applications.

Chansri, P., Wanno, B., Keawwangchai, S., Tuntulani, T., Pulpoka, B., & Kaewtong, C. (2019). Spray coating thin polymeric sensor films for Au 3+. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 48273. doi:10.1002/app.48273