Development of a novel water-soluble magnetic fluorescent nanoparticle for the selective detection and removal of Cu2+

Recently, much attention has been paid to the selective detection and removal of Cu2+ because an excess of Cu2+ can harm the environment and living systems. Herein, we developed a novel water-soluble di-2-picolylamine/proline co-modified Fe3O4@ZnS magnetic fluorescent nanoparticle (MFNP-Cu) for the selective detection and removal of Cu2+ through a dithiocarbamate linkage strategy. The characterization of MFNP-Cu was confirmed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), magnetization hysteresis loops, infrared (IR) and emission spectra. The results showed that MFNP-Cu could quantifiably detect Cu2+ with high sensitivity and selectivity over a broad pH range (pH 4.1–9). The maximum adsorption capacity of MFNP-Cu was calculated to be about 517.9 mg g−1, which is higher than previously reported. This excellent property was investigated by kinetics equilibrium and thermodynamic studies. Moreover, the removal properties of MFNP-Cu toward Cu2+ from contaminated water samples was achieved by an external magnetic field.