Development of a solid surface fluorescence-based sensing system for aluminium monitoring in drinking water

A novel, single and robust solid surface fluorescence-based sensing device assembled in a continuous flow system has been developed for the determination of trace amounts of aluminium in water samples. The proposed method is based on the transient immobilization of the target species on an appropriate active solid sensing zone (C₁₈ silica gel). The target species was the fluorogenic chelate, formed as a result of the on-line complexation of Al(III) with chromotropic acid (CA) at pH 4.1. The fluorescence of the complex is continuously monitored at an emission wavelength of 390 nm upon excitation at 361 nm. The instrumental, chemical and flow-injection variables affecting the fluorescence signal were carefully investigated and optimized. After selecting the most suitable conditions, the sensing system was calibrated in the range 10–500 μg l⁻¹, obtaining a detection limit of 2.6 μg l⁻¹, and a R.S.D. of 2.2%, with a sampling frequency of 24 h⁻¹. In addition, the selectivity of the proposed methodology was evaluated by performing interference studies with different cations and anions which could affect the analytical response. Finally, the proposed method, which meets the EU regulations regarding the aluminium content in drinking waters, was satisfactorily applied to different water samples, with recoveries between 97 and 105%. The simplicity, low cost and easy operation are the main advantages of the present procedure.