Synthesis of chromatographic material by immobilization of thioacetamide onto silica gel for easy detection and removal of mercury

• A new chromatographic material was synthesized by immobilization of TAA onto SG.
• The mesoporous material was used to detect trace level of Hg2+ through naked eye.
• A novel method has been developed for simultaneous detection and removal of Hg2+.
• The Hg2+ binding capacity was 17.5 mg g−1 even at low level of Hg2+ (100 mg L−1).

Thioacetamide (TAA), a well known ligand having both S and N donors, has been immobilized quantitatively onto silica gel (SG) surface for easy detection (through naked eye) and removal of mercury (Hg) from environmental samples for the first time. The quantitative immobilization involves direct incorporation of TAA onto SG without widely used Mannich reaction. TAA immobilized SG (TAA@FSG) has been characterized by spectral, morphological, elemental, thermal, chemical and electrochemical analysis. The TAA@FSG has a BET surface area of 243.31 m2 g−1 with an average pore diameter of 3–7 nm. The degree of immobilization (α = ∼9.45 μmol m−2) is quantitative. The role of TAA in detecting and removing Hg has been elucidated. Trace level of Hg (below 0.01 mg L−1) has been detected through naked eye. The Hg2+ binding capacity of the synthesized material is found to be 17.5 mg g−1 even at very low level of Hg (Co = 100 mg L−1). The developed method may be used to remove Hg from real samples.

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