A fluorescent sensor for selective, sensitive, and recyclable detection of mercury(II) in aqueous solution based on a zinc(II) coordination polymer

A fluorescent coordination polymer [Zn(H3TTA)(H2O)2]·2H2O (JLNU-3, JLNU = Jilin Normal University; H3TTA = [2,2′:6′,2″-terpyridine]-4,4′,4″-tricarboxylic acid) has been hydrothermally synthesized and carefully characterized. Particularly, stable suspension of JLNU-3 in aqueous solution showed significant quenching towards Hg2+. The quenching efficiency is up to 98% in the existence of 10−2 M Hg2+. JLNU-3 can be regenerative for 5 cycles by centrifugation of the solution after use and washing several times with H2O. In addition, JLNU-3 displays preeminent anti-interference ability and could be used for sensing in the systems with complicated components. Therefore, JLNU-3 can be used as a fluorescent probe for selective, sensitive and recyclable sensing of heavy-metal cation Hg2+ in aqueous solution.