Analytical Sciences

Naked-eye Detection of Hg²⁺ in Practical Applications Using a Highly Selective and Sensitive Fluorescent Probe

Yushun YANG, Dajun ZHENG, Yunjie XU, Qixing LIU, Chen XU, Qingcai JIAO, and Hailiang ZHU

State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China

A highly selective and sensitive probe, DAC-Hg, has been designed and synthesized for the naked-eye detection of Hg²⁺ in practical applications. DAC-Hg showed applicative “turn-off” sensing for Hg²⁺ over other ions. The detection limit was determined to be 5.0 nM, the same as the strictest standard of Hg²⁺ measurements. A naked-eye evaluation with test strips demonstrated the potential of DAC-Hg for conveniently handled in-situ detection. The application of this established method for analyzing environmental and seafood samples supplied satisfactory results. Therefore, DAC-Hg offered a promising approach for Hg²⁺ detection as well as hints for sensing other heavy and transition metal ions.

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