A new poly(3-alkoxy-4-methylthiophene)-based polymer PTMA was synthesized via simple methods.
The fluorescence of PTMA could be quenched in the presence of Co2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ in MeCN/Tris–HCl solution.
Cd2+ induced a significant bathochromic shift on the maximum absorption of PTMA solution.
The fluorescence of PTMA could only be quenched by Cu2+ in THF/Tris–HCl solution, and recovered by GSH and HCy.
Detection limits for Co2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ can be reached 2.5, 2.0 and 83 nM, respectively.