A hybrid mesoporous material functionalized by 1,8-naphthalimide-base receptor and the application as chemosensor and absorbent for Hg2+ in water.

A novel hybrid material (SBA-P1) is prepared through the functionalization of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) with a 1,8-naphthalimide-based dye by sol-gel reaction. The characterization results of elemental analysis (EA), X-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and spectroscopic methods demonstrate the fluorescence dye P1 is successfully grafted onto the inner surface of SBA-15 and the organized structure is preserved. SBA-P1 can detect Hg(2+) with high selectivity to Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), Mn(2+), Ni(2+), Co(2+), Ag(+), Cr(3+), and Mg(2+), Ca(2+), Li(+), Na(+), K(+) in water and sensitivity to environmentally relevant mercury in complex natural samples. The quenching fluorescence detection is also reversible by treating with EDTA/base. Furthermore, its fluorescence intensity keeps stable in the physiologically relevant pH range. The extraction ability of SBA-P1 is also estimated by inductively coupled plasma source mass spectrometer (ICP), showing that approximately 90% of the Hg(2+) ion is extracted. These results imply that the hybrid material has potential application for sensing and removing of Hg(2+) ions in waste water and working as toxicide for acute mercury poisoning.