Rapid Formaldehyde Detection Using an Aminosilane‐Functionalized Polymeric Sensor

Functional polymeric materials are increasingly critical for developing advanced environmental monitoring devices. In this study, a novel organic–inorganic hybrid polymeric membrane based on an aminosilane was rationally designed and synthesized via photopolymerization for targeted formaldehyde detection. Unlike conventional porous sensing matrices, the membrane's smooth, SEM‐visible, nonporous surface morphology supports a surface‐confined sensing configuration, thereby contributing to its physicochemical stability and operational lifespan. The functionalized polymer exhibited rapid fluorescence enhancement upon exposure to formaldehyde, which was attributed to interactions between formaldehyde and surface‐confined amine groups. Under optimal conditions (excitation at 352 nm, emission at 496 nm, pH 8.0), the polymeric sensor demonstrated an ultrafast response time of 50 s. It delivered excellent analytical performance, including a broad linear range from 1.60 × 10 −7 to 1.00 × 10 −4 mol L −1 , high sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.87 × 10 −8 mol L −1 , and high selectivity against common interferents. Most notably, the macromolecular resilience of the hybrid network enabled efficient recovery and reusability over 250 cycles. These structural and functional features establish the synthesized hybrid membrane as a highly robust, polymer‐based alternative for practical formaldehyde monitoring in real‐world matrices, including food‐contact packaging materials.