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Preconcentration and fluorometric detection of mercury ions using magnetic core-shell chitosan microspheres modified with a rhodamine spirolactam

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Abstract

We describe core-shell structured magnetic chitosan microspheres (Rho-MCS) that were modified with a rhodamine spirolactam fluorescent probe. They are shown to be a viable fluorescent probe for the determination of mercury ion, and for its removal and preconcentration. The microspheres were characterized by FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis and high-resolution digital images, and these confirmed the successful loading with rhodamine probe. The microspheres represent excellent bare-eye colorimetric and fluorescent turn on probes for Hg(II) via a mechanism based on chelation-enhanced fluorescence. Hg(II) can be quantified with a limit of detection of 15 nM. The effects of pH, temperature, contact time and initial concentration on adsorption were also investigated. The results indicate that Rho-MCS possess high adsorption capacity (337 mg g−1) and superb removal capability (up to 97 %). A kinetic study shows that the adsorption mechanism can be described by a pseudo second-order equation, while the adsorption isotherm can be fit to a Langmuir model. Hg(II)-loaded Rho-MCS can be recycled by addition of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). The capability for removal of Hg(II) was maintained above 86 % after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles.

The Rho-MCS microspheres modified with rhodamine spirolactam are shown to be viable turn-on fluorescence probe for the determination of Hg(II) and excellent adsorbent for its removal. It still maintains highly adsorption capacity after several regeneration cycles.

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Acknowledgments

The work described in this manuscript was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 21174103, 21374078) and Tianjin Research Program of Application Foundation and Advanced Technology (No. 15JCYBJC18100).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Hollow Fiber Membrane Materials and Processes, Key Lab of Fiber Modification & Functional Fiber of Tianjin, Tianjin Polytechnic University, Tianjin, 300387, People’s Republic of China

    Dechao Shi, Fanyong Yan, Xuguang Zhou, Tancheng Zheng, Weigui Fu & Li Chen

  2. Tianjin Engineering Center for Safety Evaluation of Water Quality & Safeguards Technology, Tianjin, People’s Republic of China

    Yangyang Shi

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  1. Dechao Shi
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Correspondence to Fanyong Yan or Xuguang Zhou.

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Shi, D., Yan, F., Zhou, X. et al. Preconcentration and fluorometric detection of mercury ions using magnetic core-shell chitosan microspheres modified with a rhodamine spirolactam. Microchim Acta 183, 319–327 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-015-1644-z

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