New solid-phase-nanoscavenger for the analytical enrichment of mercury from water

Exploring PtAg onto silanized biogenic silica as an electrocatalyst for H2 evolution: A combined experimental and theoretical investigation

The task of creating a remarkably stable and effective electrochemical catalyst for efficient hydrogen evolution is arduous, primarily due to the multitude of factors that need to be taken into account for the industrial utilization of Pt. In this work, hybrid formation through in-situ reduction of Pt onto biogenic porous silica (Pt-SiO2) is tested for its use as an efficient catalyst for hydrogen production. Exceptionally high electrocatalytic activity and excellent reusability of catalysts up to 200 cycles have been demonstrated. Pt-SiO2 with low Pt content of 0.48 to 0.82 at% with active catalytic sites exhibit superior catalytic activity with a Tafel slope of 22 mV dec-1 and an overpotential of 28 mV (vs. RHE at 10 mA cm-2) as compared to the Pt wire and previously reported bare Pt-SiO2 (0.65 at% and 0.48 at% of Pt), and hybrid (Pt/Ag) structures formed onto two different biogenic porous SiO2 substrates. The best catalytic performance of the Pt1Ag3 cluster, representing a low Pt concentration, has been validated by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. Here, the high production from the Pt1Ag3 cluster is assigned to the mutual synergistic effect between Pt/Ag atoms. The Pt atoms transfer the excess charge to the nearest Ag neighbors inside the cluster, facilitating hydrogen diffusion on the activated sites. These important findings authenticate the superior hydrogen production at reduced Pt concentration on amine-functionalized biogenic porous silica.

Preparation of N-doped porous biochar with high specific surface area and its efficient adsorption for mercury ion from aqueous solution

Herein, a new type of super active nitrogen-doped biochar sheet (SNBC) was prepared by two-step pyrolysis and KOH chemical activation with melamine and cherry kernel powder as precursors of nitrogen and carbon source for removing Hg2+ from wastewater. The N2 adsorption/desorption and scanning electron microscope characterization revealed that the resulted SNBC under 600 °C calcination owned huge specific surface area of 2828 m2/g and plenty of well-developed micropores, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy analysis testified the existence of functional groups containing N and O, which could provide adsorption sites for Hg2+. The SNBC-600 showed high adsorption capacity for Hg2+ even at low pH, and interfering cations had little effect on the adsorption. The adsorption process was rapid and dynamic data fit the pseudo-second-order dynamic model well. The maximum adsorption capacity of Hg2+ on SNBC-600 calculated by Langmuir model was 230 mg/g. After six times of reuse, the adsorption capacity still exceeded 200 mg/g, exhibiting good reusability. The designed microfiltration membrane device base on SNBC-600 could remove low concentration of Hg2+ effectively from solution. This study provided a simple and environment-friendly method for manufacturing nitrogen-doped biochar sheet, which was of great significance in the practical application of Hg2+ pollution treatment.

A multifunctional adsorbent based on 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid/dopamine-modified magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles for the removal of heavy-metal ions

Overexploitation of nature by humans has led to an increasingly serious issue of heavy-metal water pollution. To reduce the threat of water pollution to humans and the environment, it is imperative to develop or improve the water treatment technology for heavy-metal-containing wastewater. Functionalized Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄ MNPs) have been widely used as effective adsorbents for the removal of heavy-metal ions from water owing to their high efficiency, low cost, selective adsorption ability, and recyclability. In this study, Fe₃O₄@DA-DMSA magnetic nanoparticles (FDDMs) were prepared by the functionalization of Fe₃O₄ MNPs with environmentally friendly dopamine (DA) and a heavy-metal detoxifying agent such as 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) for the efficient and rapid adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺, with maximum adsorption capacities of 187.62, 63.01, and 49.46 mg/g, respectively. FDDMs exhibited the best ability to remove Pb²⁺ with a maximum adsorption capacity than that of the most reported Fe₃O₄ MNP-related adsorbents. In actual wastewater and multi-component simulated water samples contaminated with Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cd²⁺, the as-prepared adsorbent maintained a good removal ability for Pb²⁺ with low influence by ionic strength and interfering ions, as well as exhibited an excellent selectivity. According to the results of batch experiments and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis of the adsorbent before and after adsorption, the adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent for the removal of heavy-metal ions mainly involves coordination and ion exchange. In addition, the adsorbent exhibited a good regeneration performance. Therefore, FDDMs can be considered as a promising adsorbent for the treatment of heavy-metal wastewater.

A Pyrazolo Imine-based Colorimetric and Turn-on Fluorescent Sensor Probe for Determination of Hg2+ Ion and its Application in Test Paper Strips

In this work, we synthesized diethylamino substituted pyrazolo imine (3) fluorescent probe for recognition of Hg²⁺ ion.The sensor probe 3 can detect Hg²⁺ by colorimetric method, and there is a 10-fold enhancement in fluorescence response. When the fluorescent probe bound with Hg²⁺ ion, turn-on fluorescence was observed via the coordination. Probe 3 has an excellent selectivity toward Hg²⁺ in the CH₃ CN/H₂ O (8:2, v/v) solution with low limit of detection and high binding association constant of 551 parts per billion (ppb) and 6.6067 × 10⁶  m^-1 for 3+Hg²⁺ , respectively. Furthermore, the formation of 3+Hg²⁺ complex with 1:1 binding mode was evidenced by Job's plot, ¹ H NMR spectroscopy and Mass analysis. In addition, probe 3 is a feasible option to detect Hg²⁺ in various sources of water samples. Bio-imaging experiments have demonstrated that probe 3 can be used to monitor Hg²⁺ in Escherichia coli bacterial cell. The sensor 3 was also used for paper strip application to detect Hg²⁺ ion.

A novel multidentate pyridyl ligand: A turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for Hg2+ and its potential application in real sample analysis

A novel pyridyl-based ligand with multiple binding sites was developed as potential turn on fluorescent probe for mercuric ion. In comparison with other transition metal ions, the ligand displayed a significant optical selectivity and sensitivity for Hg²⁺ in aqueous solution with a remarkable fluorescence enhancement. The obtained spectroscopic response was related to the inhibition of the photo-chemical mechanism known as photo-induced electron transfer (PET) in the ligand and CN isomerization by Hg²⁺ binding. A good linearity between fluorescence responses and Hg²⁺ concentration was obtained in the range 3.3 × 10^-9 M-1.6 × 10^-8 M and a nanomolar level limit of detection (LOD) (1.4 × 10^-9 M ~ 0.28 ppb) and limit of quantification (LOQ) (4.8 × 10^-9 M ~ 0.93 ppb) were obtained. Both LOD and LOQ values are very low compared to the reported permissible Hg²⁺ level in drinking water (2 ppb) by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The possible binding mode between ligand and Hg²⁺ were determined using Job's plot analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations and a complex with 1:1 stoichiometric ratio was suggested. The response of the pyridyl ligand upon Hg²⁺ addition was noted to be fast without any time delay and reversible. The performance of the ligand at nanomolar level of Hg²⁺ and real sample application of the proposed method was investigated and satisfactory results were obtained.

A New Highly Selective Colorimetric and Fluorometric Coumarin-based Chemosensor for Hg2

A novel colorimetric and fluorometric method based on coumarin as signalling unit was developed for Hg²⁺ recognition and quantification. Initially, the alkyne functionality was incorporated into a coumarin system and the resulting molecule showed higher specificity and sensitivity for Hg²⁺ over other cations in both absorption and emission sensing assays. The Hg²⁺ recognition was detected as visible colour change from colourless to yellow and as fluorescence quenching. The colour change was assigned to the increased intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) in the signalling unit upon Hg²⁺ binding whereas a decline in the fluorescence intensity was ascribed to the heavy atom effect from Hg²⁺. In order to generate a material with high sensing performance level, alkyne-functionalized molecule was hosted into a polymeric material. The resulting functionalized polymer showed higher sensitivity and selectivity for Hg²⁺ over its corresponding coumarin molecule. The investigation of the possible binding modes for Hg²⁺ suggested both alkyne and triazole functionalities as potential binding sites for Hg²⁺. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of the proposed method were evaluated and values less than a recommended maximum level of Hg²⁺contaminant in drinking water (2.00 μg/L) were obtained (LOD = 0.44 μg/L and LOQ = 1.33μg/L). The real-life application of the method was investigated using natural water samples containing Hg²⁺ levels equivalent to the maximum tolerable concentration of Hg²⁺ in drinking water. The outcomes suggested that the method could be used in the sensing and determination of Hg²⁺ level of contaminant in the environment.

Electrochemical Sensor of Double-Thiol Linked PProDOT@Si Composite for Simultaneous Detection of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II)

Heavy metal ions in water, cosmetics, and arable land have become a world-wide issue as they cause a variety of diseases and even death to humans and animals when a certain level is exceeded. Therefore, it is necessary to development a new kind of sensor material for the determination of heavy metal ions. In this paper, we present an electrochemical sensor based on composite material (thiol(-SH) grafted poly(3,4-proplenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT(MeSH)₂)/ porous silicon spheres (Si) composite, denoted as PProDOT(MeSH)₂@Si) from the incorporation of thiol(-SH) grafted poly(3,4-proplenedioxythiophene) (PProDOT(MeSH)₂) with porous silicon spheres (Si) for the electrochemical detection of heavy metal ions (Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II)). The PProDOT(MeSH)₂@Si composite was synthesized via a chemical oxidative polymerization method. The structure and morphology of PProDOT(MeSH)₂@Si composite were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of PProDOT(MeSH)₂@Si was evaluated by detecting of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II) ions using the differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) method. The relationship between structural properties and the electrochemical performance was systematically studied. The results showed that the entry of two thiol-based chains to the monomer unit resulted in an increase in electrochemical sensitivity in PProDOT(MeSH)_2, which was related to the interaction between thiol group(-SH) and heavy metal ions. And, the combination of PProDOT(MeSH)₂ with Si could improve the electrocatalytic efficiency of the electrode material. The PProDOT(MeSH)₂@Si/GCE exhibited high selectivity and sensitivity in the rage of 0.04 to 2.8, 0.024 to 2.8, and 0.16 to 3.2 μM with the detection limit of 0.00575, 0.0027, and 0.0017 µM toward Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II), respectively. The interference studies demonstrated that the PProDOT(MeSH)₂@Si/GCE possessed a low mutual interference and high selectivity for simultaneous detection of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II) ions.

Preparation and characterization of amino/thiol bifunctionalized magnetic nanoadsorbent and its application in rapid removal of Pb (II) from aqueous system

To explore the effect of coexisted amino and thiol groups on adsorption of heavy metal, a novel magnetic nanoparticle was prepared by sequentially modification with (3-Chloropropyl) trimethoxysilan, polyetherimide, epichlorohydrin and thiourea. Subsequently, it was characterized by TEM, N₂ adsorption/desorption, FTIR Spectroscopy, zeta potential, and VSM. The maximum adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ reached 110.13 mg·g^-1, 40.23 mg·g^-1 and 29.37 mg·g^-1, respectively. The adsorption of the magnetic nanoparticles with different surface group for heavy metals were compared, which indicated that the amino and thiol group played an important role in the adsorption of heavy metals. Especially, the adsorption capacity increased dramatically after modification with the thiol group, which was attributed to the synergistic coordination of -NH₂ and -SH. The adsorption kinetics is consistent with the quasi-second-order kinetics equation, and the adsorption thermodynamic process is consistent with the Langmuir isotherm equation. The effects of experimental conditions, such as pH, the concentration of metals, adsorption time and temperature, on adsorption of Pb²⁺ were studied in detail. In addition, over 90% of removal rate was remained after 6 cycles. The magnetic nanoadsorbents was a promising nanoadsorbent with high adsorption speed, simultaneous adsorption of various heavy metals, strong anti-interference ability and reusability.

Adsorptive removal of patulin from apple juice via sulfhydryl-terminated magnetic bead-based separation

Patulin is a naturally produced toxin having potential carcinogenic properties. It is mainly produced by species of Penicillium growing on fruits, especially on apples. Detoxification of patulin, therefore, is very important for providing food safety. In this study, sulfhydryl-terminated, silica coated iron oxide beads were investigated as a multi-use sorbents for effective recovery of patulin from apple juice. The effect of beads amount, contact time, pH and temperature were evaluated for high adsorption capacity and the results showed maximum adsorption capacity at a reaction condition of 1.5 mg of beads for 4 h incubation at pH 7.2 and 25 °C. These sorbents were highly effective both in aqueous solution and apple juice with adsorption efficiencies of 99% and 71.25%, respectively. Adsorption process was explained by Langmuir isotherm model with pseudo-second order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters described spontaneous adsorption of patulin onto beads with high feasibility and preferences. The reusability of sulfhydryl coated magnetic beads was shown for at least four times without any significant decreases in efficiency. Results showed that this sorbent had potential for removal of patulin from apple juice without any negative effects on final quality parameters, Brix, color, clarity, total sugar and titratable acidity.

A highly selective and sensitive ESIPT-based coumarin–triazole polymer for the ratiometric detection of Hg2+

A reversible ESIPT based system for the detection of Hg²⁺ was developed. The system exhibited better properties compared to that of recently developed ratiometric fluorescent systems.

Fabrication of a new modified gold electrode based on gold nanoparticles and nanomagnetic Fe3O4/SiO2–(CH2)3–SH core shell for electrochemical evaluation and determination of dinitramine herbicide in water

A novel sensitive voltammetric method is described for the determination of dinitramine based on its electrochemical oxidation on gold electrodes modified with Fe₃O₄@SiO₂–Si–(CH₂)₃–SH core shell (Au/Au–NPs–S–(CH₂)₃–Si–SiO₂@Fe₃O₄).

Non-seeded synthesis and characterization of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated into silica nanoparticles via ultrasound

A non-seeded method of incorporating superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) into silica nanoparticles is presented. Mixture of both SPION and silica nanoparticles was ultrasonically irradiated. The collapsed bubbles and shockwave generated from the ultrasonic irradiation produce tremendous force that caused inelastic collision and incorporation of SPION into the silica. Physicochemical analyses using transmission electron microscope (TEM), electronic spectroscopic imaging (ESI), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated the formation of SPION/silica composite nanoparticles. The prepared composite nanoparticles exhibited superparamagnetic behaviour and nearly 70% of the initial saturation magnetization (Ms) of the SPION was retained. The presence and reactivity of the silica were demonstrated via assembling decanethiol monolayer on the composite nanoparticles. The silanol group of the silica provided the binding site for the alkyl group in the decanethiol molecules. Therefore, the thiol moiety became the terminal and functional group on the magnetic composite nanoparticles.

A colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent chemosensor for selective detection of Hg2+: theoretical studies and intracellular applications

A new colorimetric, “turn-on” fluorescent chemosensor (DEAS-BPH) was synthesized for selective and sensitive recognition of Hg²⁺ ions with no interference from environmentally relevant metal ions in a mixed organo-aqueous medium.

An In-Situ Functionalization of Decanethiol Monolayer on Thin Silica Coated Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Synthesized by Non-Seeded Process

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION) are routinely employed in biomedical and water treatment applications due to their inherent magnetic properties. However, for these applications a surface modified and functionalized SPION is required. Herein, for the first time we present an in-situ method of functionalizing decanethiol monolayer on thin silica coated SPION synthesised via a non-seeded process. Through physico-chemical analyses the grafting of decanethiol onto the composite nanoparticles were demonstrated. The alkane functional group in the monolayer molecule attached to the silanol group of the silica shell and became the tail and binding site to the magnetic composite nanoparticles.

Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles supported on silica as catalyst for hydrogen production

A synthetic approach is developed to produce highly disperse, low loading (3.28 wt%) Pt nanoparticles incorporated silica (Pt-NP–S) with average diameter of 3.5 nm using economical and simple surface chemical modification and reduction processes.