Abstract
This paper reports the synthesis of a hierarchically structured mesoporous architectonics silica as a pH-dependent sensor for the detection and adsorption of strontium ions (Sr2+) from radioactive strontium-contaminated water. Herein, we designed a colored sensor based on the cubical mesoporous architectonics silica monoliths that enabled the detection of extremely harmful radioactive strontium ions (Sr2+) from drinking water. The surface-coating process of hierarchically cubical silica monoliths by one-step decoration using benzenesulfonic acid, 3-[[8-(acetylamino)-2-hydroxy-1-naphthalenyl]azo]-5-chloro-2-hydroxy-sodium salt signaling probe enabled us to create a unique pH-dependent colorant sensor. In this design, the high loading capacity and trapping of the chromogenic probe could be achieved, leading to the formation of an organic-inorganic hybrid that formed from cubically-silica pores and a chromogenic probe dressing layer. In this sensing system, a remarkable change in color and absorbance intensity of the sensor for strontium ions was observed at a pH value of 10.3. The synthesized cubically porous architectonic silica sensor is tailored to enable accessibility for continuous and efficient pH-dependent-strontium ion sensing capability concerning reversibility, selectivity, and signal stability.
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•A hand-operating and easy-to-make synthesis of high surface area mesoporous colorant sensor was achieved.•The mesosensor showed evidence of highly selective, and sensitive detection of Sr(II) ions down to micromolar concentrations.•The sensing system showed functionality in terms of reversibility and selectivity.