Mercury Detection and Removal via Sol-Gel Transition in Complex Aqueous Environments by Recyclable Macromolecular Thermogels
발표자
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초록
내용
The sensitive detection of harmful heavy metal ions in aqueous systems, followed by quantitative removal, is critical. A thermogelling triblock copolymer poly(ε-caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL-PEG-PCL) was synthesized, and a difluoroboron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) fluorophore integrated with thiosemicarbazide units was attached to the chain ends of the triblock polymer via post-polymerization modifications, resulting in P1 demonstrated quick and selective detection of Hg(II) in 100% aqueous medium using turn-on fluorescence emission with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.461 µM. The dehydrated Hg(II) gels were treated with sodium sulfide (Na2S) in acetone/water at room temperature, resulting in HgS precipitates and free P1 for recycling. This biodegradable, thermoresponsive macromolecular probe has the potential to detect Hg(II) as well as separate and remove it from aquatic environments such as lake and river water.