Low-cost and environmentally sensitive fluorescent cellulose paper for naked-eye detection of Fe(III) in aqueous media

The design of eco-friendly materials to detect heavy metals is today's demand to decrease pollutions in natural waters. This paper demonstrates low-cost and environmentally sensitive material for removal and detection of Fe(III) ions in polluted waters. For this, raw cellulose with powder form was firstly fabricated via immobilizing hexamethylene diisocyanate. Following the activation of cellulose, it was modified with a Bodipy for useful spectroscopic measurements to effectively detect and remove Fe(III) ion from aqueous medium. The Bodipy-based cellulose (Cell-BODIPY) exhibited exceptional performance for detecting Fe(III) ion under both longwave light and daylight. For a better visualization in practical applications, the same modification process was also carried out for filter paper. To the best of our knowledge, this paper will inspire alternative methods in the selective detection and elimination of heavy metal ions in polluted waters.