Fluorescent cellulose/testing paper for the sensitive and selective recognition of explosives 2,4,6-trinitrophenol and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine

Abstract 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) and 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNH) are harmful to the environment and human beings. Trace detection of TNP and DNH is worth of developing facile methods. In this work, cellulose powder and filter paper based fluorescence sensor are synthesized. Firstly, NH2CH2CH2– was introduced into cellulose through etherification reaction, and at the same time, a small molecule BODIPY with –CHO was synthesized. Then BODIPY was incorporated into cellulose by Schiff base reaction to obtain fluorescent macromolecular probes. These fluorescent cellulose sensors can efficiently identify TNP and DNH, with the lowest detection limits of 2.8 × 10−7 M and 1.6 × 10−7 M, respectively. Fluorescent filter paper is obtained via the same route. They also exhibit TNP and DNH identification ability. The method developed in filter paper not only expands the application range of cellulose, but also can efficiently identify the pollutants TNP and DNH, which is of great significance in theory and practical applications.