Poly(4-vinyl pyridine) radiografted PVDF track etched membranes as sensors for monitoring trace mercury in water

By a radiation-induced grafting technique, we have functionalized track-etched nanoporous polymer membranes with mercury sensitive poly-4-vinyl pyridine (P4VP). Coating of these membranes with a very thin layer of gold results in an electrochemical sensor that is very selective and highly sensitive for mercury LOD 5 ng/L - well below the norms for water (0.015 μg/L potable water and 0.5 μg/L residual waters-French water norms of 27 October 2011). E-beam irradiation permitted optimization of the radiografting synthesis on PVDF thin films prior to ion-track grafting. Synthesis and characterization by EPR, FESEM and FTIR are described in detail. A comparison between FTIR in ATR and transmission modes enabled us to localize the grafting on the surface of the e-beam irradiated PVDF films allowing us to extrapolate what happens on the etched tracks.Using Square Wave Anodic Stripping Voltammetry (SW-ASV), mercury concentrations of 1 μg/L are detected in 2 h and low ng/L concentrations are detected after 24 h of adsorption. The adsorption is passive so sensors do not require instrumentation and the analysis takes only 3-4 min. Also, the P4VP functionalized sensor appears insensitive to pH variations (pHs 3-9), high salt concentrations (up to 1 g/L) and the presence of other heavy metals in the same solution.