Detection and remediation of mercury contaminated environment by nanotechnology: Progress and challenges

Hg pollution is a global concern due to its high ecotoxicity and health risk to human beings. A comprehensive understanding of the fast-developed technology applied in determining and controlling Hg pollution is beneficial for risk assessment and field remediation. Herein, we mainly assembled the recent progress on Hg treatment in the environment by nanotechnology. The advantages and disadvantages of the conventional and nanotechnology-based methods commonly used in water-/soil-Hg remediation were compared and summarized. Specifically, green nanomaterials derived from plant tissues (e.g., nanocellulose) have prominent merits in remediation of Hg contaminated environments, including high efficiency in Hg removal, low cost, environment-friendly, and easily degradable. Based on the theories of Hg biogeochemistry and existed researches, four promising pathways are proposed, 1) developing surface-modified green nanocellulose with high selectivity and affinity towards Hg; 2) designing effective dispersants in preventing nanocellulose from agglomeration in soil; 3) mediating soil properties by adding green nanomaterials-based fertilizers; 4) improving plant-Hg-extract capacity with green nanomaterials addition. Briefly, more efficient and available approaches are still expected to be developed and implemented in the natural environment for Hg remediation.

Naked-eye detection of Hg(ii) ions by visible light-induced polymerization initiated by a Hg(ii)-selective photoredox catalyst

A selective turn-on photoredox catalyst extends the applications of visible light-induced polymerization.

A fluorescein-based chemosensor for “turn-on” detection of Hg2+ and the resultant complex as a fluorescent sensor for S2− in semi-aqueous medium with cell-imaging application: experimental and computational studies

A fluorescein hydrazone based probe selectively recognizes Hg²⁺ ion with live cell imaging application.

A new isoindoline-based highly selective "turn-on" fluorescent chemodosimeter for detection of mercury ion

A new isoindoline-based highly efficient turn-on fluorescent chemodosimeter S with a thioamide functionality as a binding site for selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion has been developed. The chemodosimeter S showed an extreme selectivity for detection of Hg²⁺ ion among various two and three-valent metal ions in acetonitrile/water (70/30, v/v). It was found that, in the presence of Hg²⁺ ion the non-fluorescent chemodosimeter S was efficiently and rapidly desulfurized to the corresponding highly fluorescent amide 1. A good linear relationship was shown between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of Hg²⁺ within the range of 0-1μM, with a detection limit of 2.03×10^-8M.

Highly selective fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for detection of Hg2+ ion in aqueous media

A highly efficient and selective fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor based on naphthothiazole skeleton was synthesized and its colorimetric and fluorescent properties were investigated. The sensor displays a rapid and highly selective colorimetric and fluorescence response toward Hg²⁺ without interference with other metal ions in CH₃CN/H₂O mixture (50/50, v/v). The detection limit for the fluorescent chemosensor S1 toward Hg²⁺ was 3.42×10^-8M.