Methacrylate copolymers with pendant piperazinedione-sensing motifs as fluorescent chemosensory materials for the detection of Cr(VI) in aqueous media

► We prepare a fluorogenic sensory film, or dense membrane, capable of detecting Cr(VI) in water media. ► The solid system shows a potential for use as a solid kit for “dip-in” Cr(VI) detection in aqueous environments. ► The sensory membrane is capable of differentiating between Cr(VI) and less harmful Cr(III). ► The detection limit (LOD) of the sensory material is 1 ppb.