Highly selective, sensitive and fast-responsive fluorescent sensor for Hg2 +

• A fast-responsive and fluorescent reversible chemosensor for Hg2 + was reported.
• Sensor 2TBEA exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg2 +.
• This sensor can rapidly detect Hg2 + ion in real time.

A phenylamine-oligothiophene-based fluorescent sensor 2TBEA was reported. This sensor exhibited highly selective, sensitive and rapid detection of Hg2 + ion in THF/H2O (7/3, v/v) solution through fluorescence quenching. The detection was unaffected by the coexistence of other competitive metal cations including Na+, K+, Ag+, Ca2 +, Fe3 +, Al3 +, Co2 +, Cu2 +, Ni2 +, Zn2 +, Pb2 +, Cd2 +, Fe2 + and Cr3 +. A1:1 binding ratio for 2TBEA — Hg2 + was demonstrated by Job's plot and mole-ratio curves. The coordination process was chemically reversible with EDTA. The detection limit was evaluated to be as low as 6.164 × 10− 8 M.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide