A hybrid mesoporous material functionalized by 1,8-naphthalimide-base receptor and the application as chemosensor and absorbent for Hg2+ in water

A novel hybrid material (SBA-P1) is prepared through the functionalization of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) with a 1,8-naphthalimide-based dye by sol–gel reaction. The characterization results of elemental analysis (EA), X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and spectroscopic methods demonstrate the fluorescence dye P1 is successfully grafted onto the inner surface of SBA-15 and the organized structure is preserved. SBA-P1 can detect Hg2+ with high selectivity to Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Ag+, Cr3+, and Mg2+, Ca2+, Li+, Na+, K+ in water and sensitivity to environmentally relevant mercury in complex natural samples. The quenching fluorescence detection is also reversible by treating with EDTA/base. Furthermore, its fluorescence intensity keeps stable in the physiologically relevant pH range. The extraction ability of SBA-P1 is also estimated by inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometer (ICP), showing that approximately 90% of the Hg2+ ion is extracted. These results imply that the hybrid material has potential application for sensing and removing of Hg2+ ions in waste water and working as toxicide for acute mercury poisoning.