Modified mesoporous silica nanoparticles as a reusable, selective chromogenic sensor for mercury(II) recognition

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Supramolecular Chemistry

Background:

• Mercury(II) is a toxic heavy metal pollutant requiring sensitive detection methods.
• Colorimetric sensors offer a visual and accessible approach for ion detection.
• Tripodal receptors and mesoporous materials are advanced platforms for molecular recognition.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel tripodal receptor and a dyed mesoporous material for mercury(II) detection.
• To investigate the selective colorimetric response of the developed materials to mercury(II) cations.
• To demonstrate the utility of these materials for mercury(II) sensing in tetrahydrofuran (THF).

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of a new tripodal receptor incorporating thiourea and azobenzene moieties.
• Fabrication of a novel dyed mesoporous material.
• Colorimetric analysis of mercury(II) cation binding using UV-Vis spectroscopy.
• Solvent-based detection in tetrahydrofuran (THF).

Main Results:

• The tripodal receptor and mesoporous material exhibited selective binding towards mercury(II) cations.
• A distinct color change from yellow to deep purple was observed upon mercury(II) complexation.
• The developed sensor demonstrated high sensitivity and selectivity for mercury(II).

Conclusions:

• The novel tripodal receptor and dyed mesoporous material are effective for the selective colorimetric detection of mercury(II).
• The observed color change provides a simple visual indicator for the presence of mercury(II) ions.
• This work presents a promising tool for environmental monitoring and chemical analysis.