Magnetically recoverable fluorescence chemosensor for the adsorption and selective detection of Hg2+ in water

In order to conveniently and effectively detect the heavy metal ion Hg(2+) existing in water, a magnetic fluorescence chemosensor has been strategically prepared by immobilizing a Rhodamine B derivative RhB-tris(2-aminoethyl)amine on Fe3O4@SiO2-Au@PSiO2 composites via gold particles. The adsorption and detection for Hg(2+) ions were investigated with fluorophotometry. This chemosensor shows high sensitivity and high selectivity for Hg(2+) over other metal cations owing to the ring opening of the rhodamine fluorophore selectively induced by Hg(2+). In addition, the presence of Fe3O4 in the sensor also facilitates the magnetic separation of the Fe3O4@SiO2-Au-Hg(2+)@PSiO2 from the solution.