Schiff-Based Fluorescent-ON Sensor L Synthesis and Its Application for Selective Determination of Cerium in Aqueous Media

In the present study, a fluorescent sensor L for sensing of Ce3+ ion was designed and characterized by XRD, 1HNMR, and FTIR. Its fluorescence behavior towards metal ion was examined by fluorescence spectroscopy. Chelation-enhanced fluorescence was shown by the sensor L upon interaction with Ce3+ ion. This fluorescent sensor exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity towards Ce3+ ion in acetonitrile solution, forming 2 : 1 (L : M) complex as determined by Job’s plot. Association constant was found to be 1×107 M−1 estimated from the Benesi-Hildebrand plot. No significant interference was observed in the presence of other studied alkali, alkaline, and transition metal ions. A rapid response was observed when employed for the determination of Ce3+ ion in spiked water samples with a limit of detection equal to 3.4×10−8 M