Melamine sponge-assisted synthesis of porous BCNO phosphor with yellow-green luminescence for Cr6+ detection

Abstract Boron carbon oxynitride (BCNO) was successfully prepared via the template of the melamine sponge. The resultant BCNO was characterized by infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope as well as quantum yield (QY). The results revealed that BCNO exhibit yellow-green photoluminescence under UV illumination with QY of 86%. For BCNO phosphor, the fluorescence is disappeared in the water, which limits its application in aqueous media. BCNO/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) composite films were synthesized from BCNO phosphors and PVA hydrogels by simple mixing and coating. BCNO/PVA composite film can be visually detected Cr6+ at a concentration of about 103 μM when using a portable UV lamp. This portable fluorescent composite film sensor has potential applications in Cr6+ sensing.