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Engineering Phosphogypsum into a Fluorescent Nanosensor Based on Functionalized Nano-CaCO3 for Selective Hg2+
Han Mo1, Qingwei Liu1, Nenghao Wang1
1School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 13, 2026
Summary
Researchers converted phosphogypsum (PG) waste into nano-calcium carbonate (Nano-CaCO3). This material was functionalized to create an effective sensor for detecting mercury ions (Hg2+), offering a sustainable waste valorization strategy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Phosphogypsum (PG) is a significant industrial waste from phosphoric acid production.
- Stockpiling PG presents environmental risks due to potential hazardous substance leaching.
- Urgent need exists for converting PG into valuable products.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize nano-calcium carbonate (Nano-CaCO3) from PG.
- To develop a sensor for mercury ion (Hg2+) detection using PG-derived Nano-CaCO3.
- To demonstrate a sustainable method for PG waste valorization.
Main Methods:
- Phase-transfer precipitation method for Nano-CaCO3 synthesis from PG.
- Surface functionalization of Nano-CaCO3 with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and a rhodamine B derivative (RhoB-NCS).
- Characterization of the synthesized CaCO3@RhoB-NCS material.
- Hg2+ detection using the developed sensor and test paper.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and characterization of CaCO3@RhoB-NCS from PG.
- Effective Hg2+ sensing capability with enhanced fluorescence emission at 600 nm.
- Achieved a low detection limit of 1.0 × 10^-6 M for Hg2+.
- Demonstrated utility as a filler for Hg2+ test paper.
Conclusions:
- PG can be successfully converted into Nano-CaCO3.
- The developed CaCO3@RhoB-NCS is a promising sensor for Hg2+ detection.
- This approach offers a viable strategy for sustainable waste management and resource recovery.
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