Development of a novel fluorimetric bulk optode membrane based on meso-tetrakis(2-hydroxynaphthyl) porphyrin (MTHNP) for highly sensitive and selective monitoring of trace amounts of Hg2 + ions

• The optical sensor responded to Hg2 + from 5.0 × 10− 9 to 1.25 × 10− 5 M with a relatively fast response time.
• It showed excellent reproducibility, reversibility and selectivity.
• The fluorescent sensor was successfully applied to the determination of mercury content of different real samples.

The fluorescence spectra and response characteristics of two porphyrin compounds meso-tetrakis(2-hydroxynaphthyl) porphyrin and meso-tetra (2-thiophene) porphyrin (MTHNP) to Hg2 + were investigated. MTHNP showed preferable fluorescence response to Hg2 +. Thereby, an efficient and selective fluorimetric optode membrane based on the fluorescence quenching of MTHNP for Hg2 + ion determination at low concentration levels has been developed. The sensing membrane containing MTHNP reversibly responded to Hg2 + with a working concentration range covering from 5.0 × 10− 9 to 1.25 × 10− 5 M with a relatively fast response time less than 3 min. In addition to high stability, reversibility and reproducibility, the sensor showed extremely high selectivity toward Hg2 + ion with respect to some alkali, alkaline earth and heavy metal ions. The limit of detection for Hg2 + was 5.0 × 10− 9 M. The proposed fluorescent sensor was successfully applied to the direct determination of mercury content of biofenac eye drop, hair and different water samples.

Quenching of fluorescence emission of the mercury-selective optical sensor in the presence of varying concentrations of Hg2 + ion from 5.0 × 10− 9 to 1.25 × 10− 5 M. The inset: Fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of optode membrane, λex = 425 nm and λem = 655 nm.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide