Ultrasensitive Detection of Hg(II) Ions in Aqueous Medium Using Zinc-Based Metal-Organic Framework.

Here we describe, a simple solution and solid-state sensor for the ultrasensitive detection of Hg(II) ions in both standardized and environmental samples through changes of fluorescence intensity of a zinc-based metal-organic framework (MOF). The MOF is highly water stable in a wide pH range from 4 to 11. The lower detection limit of Hg2+ is 10-11 M with a very high binding constant of 1.011 × 109 M-1 s-1. It also exhibits a high selectivity toward mercury ion in the presence of other interfering metal ions. The MOF is found to retain its efficiency in detecting mercury ion in spiked environmental water samples.