Abstract
Mercury ion (Hg2+) is one of the most toxic heavy metal ions and lowering the detection limit of Hg2+ is always a challenge in analytical chemistry and environmental analysis. In this work, sulfhydryl functionalized carbon quantum dots (HS-CQDs) were synthesized through a one-pot hydrothermal method. The obtained HS-CQDs were able to detect mercury ions Hg2+ rapidly and sensitively through fluorescence quenching, which may be ascribed to the formation of nonfluorescent ground-state complexes and electron transfer reaction between HS-CQDs and Hg2+. A modification of the HS-CQD surface by –SH was confirmed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The HS-CQDs sensing system obtained a good linear relationship over a Hg2+ concentration ranging from 0.45 μM to 2.1 μM with a detection limit of 12 nM. Delightfully, the sensor has been successfully used to detect Hg2+ in real samples with satisfactory results. This means that the sensor has the potential to be used for testing actual samples.
Highlights
As we all know, with the development of industry and economy, various heavy metal ions have caused relatively serious pollution threatening human health and ecosystems.[1,2] Mercury ion (Hg2+) is one of the most toxic heavy metal ions
Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of HS-carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was shown in Fig. 2b and exhibited characteristic peaks of surface functional groups of HS-CQDs
The two peaks locating to 1585 cmÀ1 and 1400 cmÀ1 represented the stretching vibration of the C]O and C–O, which was due to the carboxylate in the surface of HSCQDs
Summary
With the development of industry and economy, various heavy metal ions have caused relatively serious pollution threatening human health and ecosystems.[1,2] Mercury ion (Hg2+) is one of the most toxic heavy metal ions. It accumulates in the human body through the food chain and can cause a series of health problems, such as lung and kidney function damage, chest pain, dyspnea, nervous system damage, and even cancer.[3,4] it is of great signi cance to establish a highly selective and sensitive detection method for Hg2+.
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