Determination of trace silver by solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence quenching method based on lead carboxymethyl cellulose particles (Pb(CMC)2) containing luminescent salicyl fluorenes molecules

Luminescent particles of lead carboxymethyl cellulose (Pb(CMC)2) containing salicyl fluorones (THBF), Pb(CMC)2-THBF were synthesized by the sol-gel method, using sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (NaCMC) as precursor and Pb2+ as precipitant. Pb(CMC)2-THBF can emit the intense and stable solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) on filter paper. And EDTA can chelate Pb2+ in Pb(CMC)2-THBF, causing it to decompose into aqueous soluble components PbY2-, CMC- and THBF, which can react with Ag+ to form Ag(CMC)2-THBF, causing the decrease of phosphorescence intensity. Based on the facts above, a new method for the determination of trace silver by SS-RTP quenching method was established. The linear range of this method is 8.0-40.0 fg spot(-1) (20.0-100.0 pg ml(-1)), with a detection limit (LD) of 2.2 fg spot(-1) (corresponding to a concentration range of 5.5 x 10(-13) g ml(-1)), and the regression equation of working curve is DeltaI(p) = 12.56 + 0.5527C(Ag+) (fg spot(-1), 0.4 microl spot(-1)), n = 8, r = 0.9992. This method has been applied to the determination of trace silver in human hair and tea sample with satisfactory results. The mechanism of SS-RTP emission is also discussed.     

Preparation for nitrocellulose membrane-poly (vinyl alcohol)-ionic imprinting and its application to determine trace copper by room temperature phosphorimetry

Nitrocellulose membrane-poly (vinyl alcohol)-ionic imprinting (NCM-PVA-I-I) was prepared using Cu²⁺ as template. The cavity in NCM-PVA-I-I matched Cu²⁺ very well and the selectivity was high. Cu²⁺ entered the cavity and then could form ionic association ([Cu²⁺]·[(Fin⁻)₂]) with the anion of fluorescein (Fin⁻) outside the cavity by electrostatic effect. [Cu²⁺]·[(Fin⁻)₂] could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence on NCM-PVA-I-I. Its ΔI_p was proportional to the content of Cu²⁺. Based on the above facts, a new method for the determination of trace copper by solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (NCM-PVA-I-I-SS-RTP, SS-RTP is the abbreviation of solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry) using NCM-PVA-I-I technique has been established. The linear range of this method was 2.00-144.00 fg Cu²⁺ spot⁻¹ (sample volume: 0.40 μL spot⁻¹, corresponding concentration: 5.00-360.00 pg mL⁻¹), and the detection limit calculated by 3Sb/k was 0.43 fg Cu²⁺ spot⁻¹ (corresponding concentration: 1.1 × 10⁻¹² g mL⁻¹, n = 11). Samples containing 2.00 and 144.00 fg Cu²⁺spot⁻¹ were measured, respectively, for seven times and R.S.D.s were 3.5% and 4.7%. NCM-PVA-I-I-SS-RTP could combine very well the characteristics of both the high sensitivity of SS-RTP and the high match and selectivity of NCM-PVA-I-I, and it was rapid, accurate, sensitive and with good repeatability. It has been successfully applied to determine trace copper in human hair and tea samples.     

Determination of human IgG by solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence immunoassay based on an antibody labeled with nanoparticles containing dibromofluorescein luminescent molecules

Luminescent silicon dioxide nano-particles with size of 20 nm, which containing dibromofluorescein (D) were synthesized by sol-gel method (symbolized by D-SiO₂).The particles can emit intense and stable room temperature phosphorescence signal on polyamide membrane when Pb(Ac)₂ was used as a heavy atom perturber. The λ_exmax/λ_emmax was 457/622 nm. Our research indicated that the specific immune reaction between goat-anti-human IgG antibody labeled with D-SiO₂ and human IgG could be carried out on polyamide membrane quantitatively, and the phosphorescence intensity of the particle was enhanced after the immunoreactions. Thus a new method of solid substrate room temperature phosphorescence immunoassay (SS-RTP-IA) for the determination of human IgG was established basing on antibody labeled with the D-SiO₂ nanoparticles. The linear range of this method was 0.0624-20.0 pg human IgG spot⁻¹ (corresponding concentration: 0.156-50.0 ng ml⁻¹, the sample volume: 0.40 μl spot⁻¹) with a limit of detection (LD) as 0.018 pg spot⁻¹, and the regression equation of working curve was ΔI_p = 7.201 m_IgG (pg spot⁻¹) + 82.57. Samples containing 0.156 and 50.0 ng ml⁻¹ of IgG were measured repeatedly for 11 times and R.S.D.s were 4.1 and 3.4%, respectively. Results showed that this method had the merits as sensitive, accurate and precise.     

Determination of trace alpha-fetoprotein variant by affinity adsorption solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry and its application to the forecast of human diseases

In the presence of ion perturber LiAc, 4-generation polyamidoamine dendrimers (4G-D) could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal at on nitrocellulose membrane (NCM), and Triton X-100 could sharply enhance the RTP signal of 4G-D. Triton X-100-4G-D was used to label concanavalin agglutinin (Con A) to get the labeling product Triton X-100-4G-D-Con A. Quantitative specific affinity adsorption (AA) reaction between Triton X-100-4G-D-Con A and α-fetoprotein variant (AFP-V) could be carried out on the surface of NCM, whose product Triton X-100-4G-D-Con A-AFP-V could emit strong and stable RTP and its ΔI_p was proportional to the content of AFP-V. According to the facts above, a new affinity adsorption solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (AA-SS-RTP) for the determination of trace AFP-V by Con A labeled with Triton X-100-4G-D was established. Detection limits of this method were 0.23 fg spot⁻¹ (direct method, corresponding concentration: 5.8 × 10⁻¹³ g mL⁻¹) and 0.13 fg spot⁻¹ (sandwich method, corresponding concentration: 3.2 × 10⁻¹³ g mL⁻¹). It has been successfully applied to determine the content of AFP-V in human serum and forecast human diseases, for its high sensitivity, long RTP lifetime, good repeatability, high accuracy and little background perturbation with at the long wavelength area. Meanwhile, the mechanism for the determination of trace AFP-V using AA-SS-RTP was also discussed.     

Solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry for the determination of residual clenbuterol hydrochloride based on the catalysis of sodium periodate oxidizing eosine Y

Clenbuterol hydrochloride (CLB) could catalyze NaIO₄ oxidation of eosine Y (R), which caused the room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal of R to quench sharply. The ΔI_P (=I_P2 − I_P1, I_P2 was RTP intensities of reagent blank and I_P1 was RTP intensities of test solution) of the system was directly proportional to the content of CLB. According to that academic thought, a new solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) for the determination of trace CLB has been established. This method has high sensitivity (detection limit (LD): 0.021 zg spot⁻¹, corresponding concentration: 5.2 × 10⁻²⁰ g mL⁻¹) and good selectivity (Er = ±5%, interfering species were of no interference). It has been applied to the determination of residual CLB in the practical samples. The results were verified using HPLC and GC/MS methods. The reaction mechanism of catalytic SS-RTP for the determination of residual CLB was also discussed.     

Determination of traces of bismuth by quenching of solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence from morin-labeled silicon dioxide nano-particles

Silicon dioxide nano-particles, diameter 50 nm, containing morin (morin–SiO₂) have been synthesized by the sol–gel method. They emit strong and stable room-temperature phosphorescence (SS-RTP) on filter paper as substrate, and bismuth can quench the intensity of the SS-RTP. On this basis a new morin–SiO₂ solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence-quenching method has been established for determination of traces of bismuth. Reduction of phosphorescence intensity (I_p) is directly proportional to the concentration of bismuth in the working range 0.16–14.4 ag spot^–1 (sample volume 0.40 L spot^–1, corresponding to the concentration range 0.40–36.0 fg mL^–1). The regression equation of the working curve is I_p=14.86+5.279×[Bi³⁺] (ag spot^–1) (n=6, r=0.9982). The detection limit of this method is 0.026 ag spot^–1 (corresponding to a concentration of 6.5×10^–17 g mL^–1).This sensitive, reproducible and accurate method has been used for successful analysis of real samples.     

Highly selective and sensitive fluorescent chemosensor for Hg in aqueous solution

A new indole-based fluorescent chemosensor 1 was prepared and its metal ion sensing properties were investigated. It exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg²⁺ among a series of metal ions in H₂O-EtOH (7:1, v/v). The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation for 1-Hg²⁺ was calculated to be 9.57 × 10³ M⁻¹, and the detection limit for Hg²⁺ was found to be 2.25 × 10⁻⁵ M. Computational results revealed that 1 and Hg²⁺ ion formed with a central tetrahedron-coordinated Hg²⁺.     

A highly selective fluorescent probe for Hg based on a rhodamine-coumarin conjugate

A fluorescent probe 1 for Hg²⁺ based on a rhodamine-coumarin conjugate was designed and synthesized. Probe 1 exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity for sensing Hg²⁺, and about a 24-fold increase in fluorescence emission intensity is observed upon binding excess Hg²⁺ in 50% water/ethanol buffered at pH 7.24. The fluorescence response to Hg²⁺ is attributed to the 1:1 complex formation between probe 1 and Hg²⁺, which has been utilized as the basis for the selective detection of Hg²⁺. Besides, probe 1 was also found to show a reversible dual chromo- and fluorogenic response toward Hg²⁺ likely due to the chelation-induced ring opening of rhodamine spirolactam. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive probe were investigated. The linear response range covers a concentration range of Hg²⁺ from 8.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁵ mol L⁻¹ and the detection limit is 4.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The determination of Hg²⁺ in both tap and river water samples displays satisfactory results.     

A new Hg-selective fluorescent sensor based on a dansyl amide-armed calix[4]-aza-crown

A new fluorescent chemosensor for Hg²⁺ based on a dansyl amide-armed calix[4]-aza-crown was reported. It exhibits high sensitivity and selectivity toward Hg²⁺ over a wide range of metal ions in MeCN-H₂O (4:1, v/v). The association constant of the 1:1 complex formation for 2-Hg²⁺ was calculated to be 1.31 × 10⁵ M⁻¹, and the detection limit for Hg²⁺ was found to be 4.1 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹.     

Improved porous silicon microarray based prostate specific antigen immunoassay by optimized surface density of the capture antibody

Enriching the surface density of immobilized capture antibodies enhances the detection signal of antibody sandwich microarrays. In this study, we improved the detection sensitivity of our previously developed P-Si (porous silicon) antibody microarray by optimizing concentrations of the capturing antibody. We investigated immunoassays using a P-Si microarray at three different capture antibody (PSA – prostate specific antigen) concentrations, analyzing the influence of the antibody density on the assay detection sensitivity. The LOD (limit of detection) for PSA was 2.5 ng mL⁻¹, 80 pg mL⁻¹, and 800 fg mL⁻¹ when arraying the PSA antibody, H117 at the concentration 15 μg mL⁻¹, 35 μg mL⁻¹, and 154 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. We further investigated PSA spiked into human female serum in the range of 800 fg mL⁻¹ to 500 ng mL⁻¹. The microarray showed a LOD of 800 fg mL⁻¹ and a dynamic range of 800 fg mL⁻¹ to 80 ng mL⁻¹ in serum spiked samples.     

Neutral carriers based polymeric membrane electrodes for selective determination of mercury (II)

The potentiometric response characteristics of mercury ion-selective membrane electrodes based on 2-amino-6-purinethiol (I₁) and 5-amino-1, 3, 4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (I₂) were described. Ion selectivities were tested for various plasticizers, which were used as solvent mediators to incorporate the ionophores into the membrane. Effects of experimental parameters such as membrane composition, nature and amount of plasticizers and additives, pH and concentration of internal solution on the potential response of Hg²⁺ electrodes were investigated. The best performance was obtained with the electrode having a membrane composition (w/w) of (I₁) (3.17%): PVC (31.7%): DOP (dioctylpthalate) (63.4%): NaTPB (sodium tetraphenylborate) (1.58%). The proposed electrode reveals a Nernstian response over Hg²⁺ ion in the concentration range of 7.0 × 10⁻⁸-1.0 × 10⁻¹ M with limit of detection 4.4 × 10⁻⁸ M. The electrode shows good discrimination toward Hg²⁺ ion with respect to most common cations. It shows a short response time (10 s) for whole concentration range and can be used for 2 months without any considerable divergence in potentials. For evaluation of the analytical applicability, the electrode was used in the determination of Hg²⁺ ion in different environmental and biological samples. The practical utility of the membrane electrode has also been observed in the presence of surfactants.     

8-Quinolineboronic acid as a potential phosphorescent molecular switch for the determination of alpha-fetoprotein variant for the prediction of primary hepatocellular carcinoma

8-Quinolineboronic acid phosphorescent molecular switch (8-QBA-PMS) in the “off” state emitted weak room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) of 8-QBA on the acetylcellulose membrane (ACM) with the perturbation of Pb²⁺. When 8-QBA-PMS was used to label concanavalin agglutinin (Con A) to form 8-QBA-PMS-Con A based on the reaction between -OH of 8-QBA-PMS and -COOH of Con A, 8-QBA-PMS turned “on” automatically due to its structure change, and RTP of the system increased 2.7 times. Besides, -NH₂ of 8-QBA-PMS-Con A could carry out affinity adsorption (AA) reaction with the -COOH of alpha-fetoprotein variant (AFP-V) to form the product Con A-AFP-V-Con A-8-QBA-PMS containing -NH-CO- bond, causing the RTP of the system to further increase. Moreover, the amount of AFP-V was linear to the ΔI_p of the system in the range of 0.012-2.40 (fg spot⁻¹). Thus, a new affinity sensitive adsorption solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry using 8-QBA-PMS as labelling reagent (8-QBA-PMS-AASSRTP) for the determination of AFP-V was proposed with the detection limit (LD) of 9 × 10⁻¹⁵ g mL⁻¹. It had been used to determine AFP-V in human serum with the results agreeing with enzyme-link immunoassay (ELISA), showing promise for the prediction of PHC due to the intimate association between AFP-V and primary hepatocellular carcinoma (PHC). The mechanism of the promethod was also discussed.     

Determination of human IgG by solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence immunoassay based on an antibody labeled with nanoparticles containing rhodamine 6G luminescent molecules

Luminescent 50-nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles containing both types of rhodamine 6G (R; particles denoted R-SiO₂) were synthesized by the sol–gel method. In the presence of Pb(Ac)₂ as a heavy atom perturber the particle can emit the intense and stable room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) signal of R on a polyamide membrane, with _ex^max/_em^max=470/635 nm for R. Our research indicates that the specific immune reaction between goat-anti-human IgG antibody labeled with R-SiO₂ and human IgG can be carried out quantitatively on a polyamide membrane, and the phosphorescence intensity was enhanced after the immunoreaction. Thus a new method for solid-substrate room-temperature phosphorescence immunoassay (SS-RTP-IA) for determination of human IgG was established on the basis of antibody labeled with the nanoparticles containing binary luminescent molecules. The linear range of this method is 0.0624–20.0 pg spot^–1 of human IgG (corresponding to a concentration range of 0.156–50.0 ng mL^–1, sample volume 0.40 L spot^–1). The regression equations of the working curves are I_p=71.27+7.208m_IgG (pg spot^–1) (r=0.9996). Detection limits calculated as 3S_b/k are 0.022 pg spot^–1. Compared with the same IA using fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as the marker the new method was more sensitive and had a wider linear range. After elevenfold replicate measurement RSD are 4.5 and 3.6% for samples containing 0.156 and 50.0 ng mL^–1 IgG, respectively. This method is sensitive, accurate, and of high precision.     

Determination of mercury species by the diffusive gradient in thin film technique and liquid chromatography – atomic fluorescence spectrometry after microwave extraction

A diffusive gradient in thin films technique (DGT) was combined with liquid chromatography (LC) and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CV-AFS) for the simultaneous quantification of four mercury species (Hg²⁺, CH₃Hg⁺, C₂H₅Hg⁺, and C₆H₅Hg⁺). After diffusion through an agarose diffusive layer, the mercury species were accumulated in resin gels containing thiol-functionalized ion-exchange resins (Duolite GT73, and Ambersep GT74). A microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) in the presence of 6 M HCl and 5 M HCl (55 °C, 15 min) was used for isolation of mercury species from Ambersep and Duolite resin gels, respectively. The extraction efficiency was higher than 95.0% (RSD 3.5%). The mercury species were separated with a mobile phase containing 6.2% methanol + 0.05% 2-mercaptoethanol + 0.02 M ammonium acetate with a stepwise increase of methanol content up to 80% in the 16th min on a Zorbax C18 reverse phase column. The LODs of DGT–MAE–LC–CV-AFS method were 38 ng L⁻¹ for CH₃Hg⁺, 13 ng L⁻¹ for Hg²⁺, 34 ng L⁻¹ for C₂H₅Hg⁺ and 30 ng L⁻¹ for C₆H₅Hg⁺ for 24 h DGT accumulation at 25 °C.     

Development of the diffusive gradient in thin films technique for the measurement of labile mercury species in waters

The diffusive gradients in thin films (DGT) technique, utilizing resin gel with ion-exchange resin Duolite GT73 and new ion-exchange resin Ambersep GT74, was investigated for the accumulation of four mercury species (Hg²⁺, CH₃Hg⁺, C₂H₅Hg⁺, C₆H₅Hg⁺). The diffusion coefficients of mercury species in agarose gel calculated on the basis of Fick’s Law were mercury species-specific. The diffusion coefficients of Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺ at 25 °C (9.07 ± 0.23 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹ and 9.06 ± 0.30 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹, respectively) were very similar, but the diffusion coefficients of C₂H₅Hg⁺ (6.87 ± 0.23 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹) and C₆H₅Hg⁺ (3.86 ± 0.19 × 10⁻⁶ cm² s⁻¹) were significantly lower. Influence of experimental conditions (pH, selected cations, chlorides and humic substance) on mercury species accumulation by DGT was studied. The DGT technique was applied to river water spiked with mercury species.     

A multi-channel sensor based on 8-hydroxyquinoline ferrocenoate for probing Hg(II) ion

A new sensing molecule 8-hydroxyquinoline ferrocenoate (Fc-Q) which combines ferrocene and 8-hydroxyquinoline moieties was synthesized and applied as a multi-channel sensor for the detection of Hg²⁺ ion. Fc-Q can coordinate with Hg²⁺ to give colorimetric, fluorescent and electrochemical responses. Upon complexation with Hg²⁺ ion, the characteristic absorption peak is red-shifted (Δλ = 45 nm), the fluorescent intensity is quenched at 303 nm, and the oxidation peak is cathodic shifted (ΔE_1/2 = −149 mV). Quantitatively analyzed Hg²⁺ ions at the range of ppb level could be achieved by electrochemical response. For the practical application of sensing Hg²⁺ in real world water, Fc-Q modified screen-printed carbon electrodes were obtained for facile, sensitive, and on-site analysis of Hg²⁺.     

Synthesis of a novel bistriazene reagent 4,4′-bis[3-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)triazenyl]biphenyl and its highly sensitive color reaction with mercury(II)

We report the synthesis of a novel bistriazene, 4,4′-bis(3-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl)triazenyl)biphenyl (BPTTBP), and its highly sensitive color reaction with Hg²⁺. The new reagent was synthesized in good yield by coupling 2-amino-4-phenylthiazole with 4,4′-biphenyldiamine bisdiazonium salt. Using a blend of surfactants N-cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and polyethylene glycol n-octanoic phenyl ether (OP) as a micelle sensitizer, the red colored reagent assembles with Hg²⁺ in pH 9.8 borate buffer according to a 1:1 stoichiometry, forming a blue oligomeric/polymeric chelating complex with a high apparent stability constant (1.1 × 10⁸ M⁻¹). Whereas the maximum absorption of reagent occurs at 510 nm with an extinct coefficient of 1.35 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹, the complex absorbs at 611 nm, with an apparent extinct coefficient of 1.04 × 10⁵ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹. Beer's law is obeyed in the range of 0-15 μg/25 mL Hg²⁺, and Sandell's sensitivity is 1.92 × 10⁻³ μg/cm². In the presence of thiourea and Na₄P₂O₇ as masking agents, the method was found free from interferences of foreign ions commonly occurring with mercury. The optimized protocol has been successfully applied to spectrophotometric determination of mercury in waste water samples. The features of the new reagent associated with its special structure were discussed, and an unprecedented “domino effect” was proposed to account for its unique chelating stoichiometry with Hg²⁺.     

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic and electronic properties of Cs2Hg2USe5

The compound Cs₂Hg₂USe₅ was obtained from the solid-state reaction of U, HgSe, Cs₂Se₃, Se, and CsI at 1123 K. This material crystallizes in a new structure type in space group P2/n of the monoclinic system with a cell of dimensions a=10.276(6) Å, b=4.299(2) Å, c=15.432(9) Å, β=101.857(6) Å, and V=667.2(6) Å³. The structure contains layers separated by Cs atoms. Within the layers are distorted HgSe₄ tetrahedra and regular USe₆ octahedra. In the temperature range of 25-300 K Cs₂Hg₂USe₅ displays Curie-Weiss paramagnetism with μ_eff=3.71(2) μ_B. The compound exhibits semiconducting behavior in the [010] direction; the conductivity at 298 K is 3×10⁻³ S/cm. Formal oxidation states of Cs/Hg/U/Se may be assigned as +1/+2/+4/− 2, respectively.     

An ultra-clean technique for accurately analysing Pb isotopes and heavy metals at high spatial resolution in ice cores with sub-pg g Pb concentrations

Measurements of Pb isotope ratios in ice containing sub-pg g⁻¹ concentrations are easily compromised by contamination, particularly where limited sample is available. Improved techniques are essential if Antarctic ice cores are to be analysed with sufficient spatial resolution to reveal seasonal variations due to climate. This was achieved here by using stainless steel chisels and saws and strict protocols in an ultra-clean cold room to decontaminate and section ice cores. Artificial ice cores, prepared from high purity water were used to develop and refine the procedures and quantify blanks. Ba and In, two other important elements present at pg g⁻¹ and fg g⁻¹ concentrations in Polar ice, were also measured. The final blank amounted to 0.2 ± 0.2 pg of Pb with ²⁰⁶Pb/²⁰⁷Pb and ²⁰⁸Pb/²⁰⁷Pb ratios of 1.16 ± 0.12 and 2.35 ± 0.16, respectively, 1.5 ± 0.4 pg of Ba and 0.6 ± 2.0 fg of In, most of which probably originates from abrasion of the steel saws by the ice. The procedure was demonstrated on a Holocene Antarctic ice core section and was shown to contribute blanks of only ∼5%, ∼14% and ∼0.8% to monthly resolved samples with respective Pb, Ba and In concentrations of 0.12 pg g⁻¹, 0.3 pg g⁻¹ and 2.3 fg g⁻¹. Uncertainties in the Pb isotopic ratio measurements were degraded by only ∼0.2%.     

A fluorescent chemosensor for Hg based on naphthalimide derivative by fluorescence enhancement in aqueous solution

Naphthalimide derivative (compound 1) containing hydrophilic hexanoic acid group was synthesized and used to recognize Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution. The fluorescence enhancement of 1 is attributed to the formation of a complex between 1 and Hg²⁺ by 1:1 complex ratio (K = 2.08 × 10⁵), which has been utilized as the basis of fabrication of the Hg²⁺-sensitive fluorescent chemosensor. The comparison of this method with some other fluorescence methods for the determination of Hg²⁺ indicated that the method can be applied in aqueous solution rather than organic solution. The analytical performance characteristics of the proposed Hg²⁺-sensitive chemosensor were investigated. The chemosensor can be applied to the quantification of Hg²⁺ with a linear range covering from 2.57 × 10⁻⁷ to 9.27 × 10⁻⁵ M and a detection limit of 4.93 × 10⁻⁸ M. The experiment results show that the response behavior of 1 toward Hg²⁺ is pH independent in medium condition (pH 4.0–8.0). Most importantly, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor are remarkably specific for Hg²⁺ in the presence of other metal ions, which meet the selective requirements for practical application. Moreover, the response of the chemosensor toward Hg²⁺ is fast (response time less than 1 min). In addition, the chemosensor has been used for determination of Hg²⁺ in hair samples with satisfactory results, which further demonstrates its value of practical applications.