Determination of trace silver by solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence quenching method based on lead carboxymethyl cellulose particles (Pb(CMC)2) containing luminescent salicyl fluorenes molecules

Luminescent particles of lead carboxymethyl cellulose (Pb(CMC)2) containing salicyl fluorones (THBF), Pb(CMC)2-THBF were synthesized by the sol–gel method, using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) as precursor and Pb2+ as precipitant. Pb(CMC)2-THBF can emit the intense and stable solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) on filter paper. And EDTA can chelate Pb2+ in Pb(CMC)2-THBF, causing it to decompose into aqueous soluble components PbY2−, CMC− and THBF, which can react with Ag+ to form Ag(CMC)2-THBF, causing the decrease of phosphorescence intensity. Based on the facts above, a new method for the determination of trace silver by SS-RTP quenching method was established. The linear range of this method is 8.0–40.0 fg spot−1 (20.0–100.0 pg ml−1), with a detection limit (LD) of 2.2 fg spot−1 (corresponding to a concentration range of 5.5 × 10−13 g ml−1), and the regression equation of working curve is ΔIp = 12.56 + 0.5527CAg+ (fg spot−1, 0.4 μl spot−1), n = 8, r = 0.9992. This method has been applied to the determination of trace silver in human hair and tea sample with satisfactory results. The mechanism of SS-RTP emission is also discussed.