Fluorescent-Tagged Amphiphilic Polymers for Dual-Functional <i>para</i> -Nitrophenol Sensing and Remediation

The development of multifunctional polymeric platforms for toxin detection and environmental remediation is crucial for advancing sustainable pollutant monitoring and removal technologies. Para-nitrophenol (PNP) is a highly toxic environmental contaminant, posing severe health risks, including headaches, cyanosis, and, with prolonged exposure, fatal consequences. Despite extensive research on PNP detection and removal, no prior studies have explored amphiphilic polymers for both solution- and solid-state sensing, adsorption, and deep learning-assisted detection. Here, for the first time, we report the synthesis of poly(methacrylic acid-random-7-methacryloyloxycoumarin) (PCM10S), a fluorescent-active amphiphilic polymer designed for selective and highly sensitive PNP detection. The incorporation of a coumarin-based fluorophore within the polymer backbone ensures exceptional selectivity among aromatic compounds, achieving an ultralow limit of detection (LOD = 20 nM). To enhance pollutant removal, a modified variant of PCM10S, with increased hydrophobic content, was synthesized, promoting PNP encapsulation within polymeric aggregates. This structural modification facilitates efficient sedimentation, achieving ∼96% PNP removal from aqueous solutions with a removal capacity of 0.144 mg PNP per mg of the adsorbent. Furthermore, a paper-based sensor was developed for rapid, user-friendly PNP detection. To enhance detection accuracy, deep learning integration was explored, evaluating seven convolutional neural networks (CNNs) for fluorescence-based colorimetric analysis. Among them, InceptionNet achieved the highest classification accuracy, demonstrating the potential of AI-assisted pollutant monitoring. This study introduces a synergistic approach combining fluorescence sensing and deep learning, paving the way for next-generation smart environmental monitoring. The methodology holds promise for detecting and removing a broader range of organic contaminants, offering a scalable and sustainable solution for intelligent wastewater treatment.