Abstract
Mercury ion (Hg2+) is a highly toxic and ubiquitous pollutant, whose effective detection has aroused widespread concern. A novel ratiometric fluorescent sensor has been designed to rapidly and efficiently detect Hg2+ based on blue/red carbon dots (CDs) with environmental friendliness. This sensor was well characterized via TEM, FTIR, XPS, UV–vis, and zeta potential analysis and displayed excellent fluorescence properties and stability. The fluorescence of blue CDs at 447 nm was significantly quenched with the addition of Hg2+ resulted from the static quenching, whereas that of red CDs at 650 nm remained invariable. A sensitive method for Hg2+ determination was constructed in the range of 0.05–7.0 nmol mL−1 with optimal conditions, and the detection limit was down to 0.028 nmol mL−1. Meanwhile, compared to other 17 metal ions, the ratiometric fluorescent sensor exhibited high selectivity for Hg2+. Furthermore, satisfied recoveries had also been obtained for measuring trace Hg2+ in practical environmental samples. This developed ratiometric fluorescent sensor provided a reliable, environmental-friendly, rapid, and efficient platform for the detection of Hg2+ in environmental applications.
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Funding
This work was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Nos. 22106039, 21876045, and 21507023), Program for Innovative Research Team in Science and Technology in University of Henan Province (No. 20IRTSTHN011), Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Henan Normal University (No. 2020JQ05), Excellent Science and Technology Innovation Team of Henan Normal University (No. 2021TD06), and Science Foundation of Henan Normal University (No. 2021PL23).
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All the authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection, data analysis, and first draft of the manuscript were performed by Yongli Liu and Letian Chen. Investigation and software were performed by Xiaoyan Su, Li Wang, Ya Jiao, and Penghui Zhou. The financial support for the project, critical review, commentary, or revision were performance by Yongli Liu and Guifen Zhu. The ideas and formulation of overarching research goals and aims were performed by Bin Li, Ruijuan Duan, and Guifen Zhu. All the authors commented on the previous versions of the manuscript. All the authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Liu, Y., Chen, L., Su, X. et al. Constructing an eco-friendly and ratiometric fluorescent sensor for highly efficient detection of mercury ion in environmental samples. Environ Sci Pollut Res 31, 4318–4329 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31167-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-31167-3