Chemosensory rhodamine-immobilized mesoporous silica material for extracting mercury ion in water with improved sensitivity

► The rhodamine block is anchored to the surface of mesoporous material. ► The material can be as solid chemosensor for Hg2+. ► The synthetic multifunctional material can simultaneously sense and separate Hg2+. ► Hybrid rhodamine-SBA-15 has 2 ppb detection limit.