A Schiff base derivative from cinnamaldehyde for colorimetric detection of Ni2+ in water

- A new and highly selective colorimetric sensor for Ni2+ in aqueous media was developed.
- The detection limit for Ni2+ was found to be 1 × 10−7 M measured by absorption spectroscopy.
- The sensor can detect trace amounts of Ni2+ in real water samples.
- The sensor showed high selectivity for Ni2+ even in the presence Hg2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ag2+, Fe2+, and Pb2+. The latter are metal ions which commonly exhibit interference for Ni2+ chemosensors.