A novel berberine-based colorimetric and fluorometric probe for Hg2+ detection and its applications in water samples

Abstract

The development of small molecule fluorescent probes for detection of heavy metal ions is highly desirable in fluorescent sensors area, and mercury (Hg2+) is a heavy metal pollutant in environment and food chain processes. Herein, we reported the design and synthesis of a novel berberine-based fluorescent probe P1, which can specifically recognize Hg2+ in CH3OH/PBS (8:2, v/v, pH = 7.4, 10 mM) solution by the colorimetric and fluorometric changes. The probe P1 displayed high selectivity, superior sensitivity and fast response toward Hg2+ with a low detection limit and a wide range of pH values. This probe can provide a convenient and effective way for Hg2+ detection on test paper strips. Moreover, the probe P1 can be applied to quantitatively detect Hg2+ in real environmental water samples.