Synthesis and characterization of luminescent polymer microspheres based on terpyridine for detecting Fe(III)

The novel polymer fluorescent microspheres (PS-TPY) based on styrene and terpyridine units were successfully synthesized via radical precipitation polymerization using ethanol and water as mixing dispersion medium. The structures and properties of the polymer microspheres were systematically investigated by NMR, IR, UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra. The average diameter of 380–630 nm for the resulted polymer microspheres was verified by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and could be regulated effectively through changing the ratio of the monomers and the composition of the dispersion medium. The introducing of the conjugated terpyridine unit into the microspheres resulted into a distinct blue emission at about 360–430 nm wavelength. Based on the interaction between the transition metal ions and the terpyridine structure, these fluorescent polymer microspheres displayed high selectivity and sensitivity for probing Fe3+. [Display omitted]