Abstract
In this study, an optical sensor, JA/(2,6-di((E)-benzylidene)cyclohexan-1-one), was synthesized and characterized using (1)H NMR and FT-IR spectroscopy. The sensor exhibited high efficiency and selectivity in detecting Pb(2+) ions, even in the presence of potential interfering ions such as Mn(2+), Cu(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Ni(2+), Ce(3+), Hg(2+), and Cd(2+) in aqueous solutions. The interaction of JA with Pb(2+) resulted in a significant enhancement of fluorescence intensity, suggesting the formation of a stable complex. A 2:1 binding ratio between JA and Pb(2+) was confirmed through fluorometric analysis, absorption spectra, and theoretical calculations (DFT). The association constant for the complex was calculated to be 3 × 10(6) M(-2). The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity towards Pb(2+) with a detection limit of 5 × 10(-7) M. Additionally, JA was successfully reused by applying EDTA to release Pb(2+) from the sensor. Real sample analysis under optimized conditions of pH, time, and concentration of JA and Pb(2+) further validated the practical applicability of the sensor.