Ratiometric fluorescence sensing of mercuric ion based on dye-doped lanthanide coordination polymer particles

This work focused on the development of a novel ratiometric fluorescence sensor for detection of Hg²⁺ by using dye-doped lanthanide infinite coordination polymer (Ln-ICP) particles. The dye-doped Ln-ICP used herein was prepared by self-assemble of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) with Ce³⁺ and Tb³⁺ (Ce/Tb-AMP) through self-adaptive chemistry, in which the fluorescent dye coumarin was encapsulated during the assembly process as a guest molecule. Under 310 nm irradiation, the obtained coumarin@Ce/Tb-AMP itself emitted characteristic green luminescence of Tb³⁺, accompanied with a weak fluorescence at 445 nm originated from coumarin encapsulated in the Ce/Tb-AMP networks. The fluorescence emission of coumarin became strong when it was released to the solution. In the presence of Hg²⁺, the coumarin@Ce/Tb-AMP was destroyed due to the specific coordination interaction between AMP and Hg²⁺, which leaded to the release of coumarin to the solution meanwhile. Consequently, the fluorescence of Ce/Tb-AMP was quenched, while that of coumarin enhanced. On the basis of this strategy, we developed a novel ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the detection of Hg²⁺ by measuring the ratio of fluorescent intensity of the coumarin@Ce/Tb-AMP suspension, which showed a wide linear range from 0.08 to 1000 nM and detection limit of 0.03 nM with high selectivity and sensitivity. Furthermore, the constructed ratiometric fluorescent sensor was successfully applied in detecting Hg²⁺ in drinking water and human blood serum (HBS) with satisfactory results.