Green, Efficient Detection and Removal of Hg<sup>2+</sup> by Water-Soluble Fluorescent Pillar[5]arene Supramolecular Self-Assembly

oleh: Xiaomei Jiang, Lingyun Wang, Xueguang Ran, Hao Tang, Derong Cao

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2022-07-01

Deskripsi

Developing a water-soluble supramolecular system for the detection and removal of Hg<sup>2+</sup> is extremely needed but remains challenging. Herein, we reported the facile construction of a fluorescent supramolecular system (<b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b>) in 100% water through the self-assembly of carboxylatopillar[5]arene sodium salts (<b>H</b>) and diketopyrrolopyrrole-bridged bis(quaternary ammonium) guest (<b>G</b>) by host–guest interaction. With the addition of Hg<sup>2+</sup>, the fluorescence of <b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b> could be efficiently quenched. Since Hg<sup>2+</sup> showed synergistic interactions (coordination and Hg<sup>2+</sup>- cavity interactions with <b>G</b> and <b>H</b>, respectively), crosslinked networks of <b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b>@Hg<sup>2+</sup> were formed. A sensitive response to Hg<sup>2+</sup> with excellent selectivity and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 7.17 × 10<sup>−7</sup> M was obtained. Significantly, the quenching fluorescence of <b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b>@Hg<sup>2+</sup> can be recovered after a simple treatment with Na<sub>2</sub>S. The reusability of <b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b> for the detection of Hg<sup>2+</sup> ions was retained for four cycles, indicating the <b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b> could be efficiently used in a reversible manner. In addition, the <b>H</b><b>⊃</b><b>G</b> could efficiently detect Hg<sup>2+</sup> concentration in real samples (tap water and lake water). The developed supramolecular system in 100% water provides great potential in the treatment of Hg<sup>2+</sup> detection and removal for environmental sustainability.