Highly sensitive synchronous fluorescence determination of mercury (II) based on the denatured ovalbumin coated CdTe QDs

► As-prepared CdTe-dOB QDs showed a specific response for the Hg2+ determination. ► Detection limit of the probe for Hg2+ determination was 4.2×10−9 mol L−1. ► Satisfactory results were obtained from the water samples.