Highly selective fluorescent probe for detecting mercury ions in water

Abstract

Mercury ion (Hg²⁺) is a well-known toxic heavy metal. It has become one of the most significant environmental pollutants in the world because of its serious physiological toxicity, persistence, easy migration, and high bioconcentration. Thus, the development of methods for monitoring Hg²⁺ is indispensable. Herein, we have designed and synthesized a new fluorescent probe, TPH, for the detection of Hg²⁺ in the water environment. The TPH probe could quantitatively detect Hg²⁺ between 0 and 5 μM (LOD = 16 nM), with a linear range of 0–2.5 μM. In addition, the TPH probe was used to monitor Hg²⁺ in water samples successfully. Thus, this probe is suitable for monitoring Hg²⁺ in the actual water environment.