Polymer dots (PDs) are a new family of quantum dots for which their behavior and potential applications have not yet been completely explored. In this study, nonconjugated PDs were synthesized using a simple pyrolysis method and used for the chemiluminescence (CL) assay of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). PDs increased the CL signal of the Ce(IV)-Na2 SO3 reaction 39-fold. Using the CL spectrum, it was concluded that the emission at 434 nm was generated by excited PDs (PDs*), which are produced by energy transfer from SO2 * to PDs. Our experiments showed that 4-NP enhanced the CL signal of the Ce(IV)-Na2 SO3 -PDs reaction. The mechanism of this effect was explored by obtaining CL, ultraviolet-visible, and Fourier transform infrared spectra. Due to the high sensitivity and selectivity of the CL system for 4-NP, a probe was designed to determine 4-NP in the linear range 1.0-500 nmol/L with a detection limit of 0.33 nmol/L. Different spiked real samples were successfully analyzed using this probe.
Keywords: 4-nitrophenol; luminescence; polyethyleneimine; quantum dots; sensor.
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