Fluorescent Chemosensor for Detection
of Water Pollutants
Annasamy Gowri and Arunkumar Kathiravan
Abstract Fluorescent chemosensors for detection of water pollutants (organic,
inorganic and biological) are of primary importance due to the pressing need for
safe drinking water. This chapter focuses on the application of fluorescence spectroscopy, an excellent analytical technique for sensing various water pollutants due
to its improved sensitivity and operational simplicity. The recent advances in the
development of fluorophores and the respective photophysical phenomena involved
for selective detection of water pollutants including toxic metal ions and pathogens
are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the future prospects of fluorescent sensors for
rapid and on-site detection of water pollutants are presented.
Keywords Fluorescence Á Chemosensor Á Water pollutants Á Photophysical
process
1 Introduction
Water is one of the most valuable natural resources indispensable for the basis of
life. There is a huge demand for safe drinking water as the natural aquifers are
becoming depleted due to the growing human population. Natural calamities and
anthropogenic activities (such as climate change, weathering of soil and rock,
agricultural runoff, advances in farming technology, industrialization and improper
disposal of sewage) alter the physical, chemical and biological quality of water
making it unsuitable for drinking [1–4]. According to the recent report by world
health organization (WHO), more than 1.2 billion people lack access to clean
drinking water. This eventually resulted in increased mortality rate especially
children due to the outbreak of waterborne diseases [5–10]. The list of emerging
water pollutants is expanding at a faster pace and not limited to nitroaromatics,
A. Gowri Á A. Kathiravan (&)
Vel Tech Research Park, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and
Technology, Avadi, Chennai 600062, Tamil Nadu, India
e-mail: akathir23@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
D. Pooja et al. (eds.), Sensors in Water Pollutants Monitoring: Role of Material,
Advanced Functional Materials and Sensors,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0671-0_9
147
of Water Pollutants
Annasamy Gowri and Arunkumar Kathiravan
Abstract Fluorescent chemosensors for detection of water pollutants (organic,
inorganic and biological) are of primary importance due to the pressing need for
safe drinking water. This chapter focuses on the application of fluorescence spectroscopy, an excellent analytical technique for sensing various water pollutants due
to its improved sensitivity and operational simplicity. The recent advances in the
development of fluorophores and the respective photophysical phenomena involved
for selective detection of water pollutants including toxic metal ions and pathogens
are discussed in detail. Furthermore, the future prospects of fluorescent sensors for
rapid and on-site detection of water pollutants are presented.
Keywords Fluorescence Á Chemosensor Á Water pollutants Á Photophysical
process
1 Introduction
Water is one of the most valuable natural resources indispensable for the basis of
life. There is a huge demand for safe drinking water as the natural aquifers are
becoming depleted due to the growing human population. Natural calamities and
anthropogenic activities (such as climate change, weathering of soil and rock,
agricultural runoff, advances in farming technology, industrialization and improper
disposal of sewage) alter the physical, chemical and biological quality of water
making it unsuitable for drinking [1–4]. According to the recent report by world
health organization (WHO), more than 1.2 billion people lack access to clean
drinking water. This eventually resulted in increased mortality rate especially
children due to the outbreak of waterborne diseases [5–10]. The list of emerging
water pollutants is expanding at a faster pace and not limited to nitroaromatics,
A. Gowri Á A. Kathiravan (&)
Vel Tech Research Park, Vel Tech Rangarajan Dr. Sagunthala R&D Institute of Science and
Technology, Avadi, Chennai 600062, Tamil Nadu, India
e-mail: akathir23@gmail.com
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
D. Pooja et al. (eds.), Sensors in Water Pollutants Monitoring: Role of Material,
Advanced Functional Materials and Sensors,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-0671-0_9
147