A highly selective colorimetric fluorescent probe for detection of Hg(2+) and its application on test strips

An efficient fluorescent probe Pyr-Rhy based on pyrazole was developed, which can detect Hg(2+) in water. Its fluorescence properties were studied by UV-vis and fluorescence spectroscopy, and the study results indicated that this probe can selectively detect Hg(2+)via complexation reaction, and then cause a remarkable color change from colorless to pink and a strong fluorescence enhancement can be observed. Furthermore, this probe showed high sensitivity with the detection limit down to 2.07 × 10(−8) M, and its stoichiometric ratio toward Hg(2+) ions was 1 : 1. The sensing mechanism was investigated by Job's plot (1)H NMR titrations, and FT-IR spectra analysis, which demonstrated a chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) mechanism. More importantly, obvious color changes of sensor Pyr-Rhy can be observed when it was impregnated on filter paper testing strips and immersed in Hg(2+) solution (water as solution), indicating its potential application for trace Hg(2+) detection in environmental samples.