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  • A highly selective and non-reaction based chemosensor for the detection of Hg2+ ions using a luminescent iridium(III) complex.

A highly selective and non-reaction based chemosensor for the detection of Hg2+ ions using a luminescent iridium(III) complex.

PloS one (2013-03-28)
Daniel Shiu-Hin Chan, Wai-Chung Fu, Modi Wang, Li-Juan Liu, Chung-Hang Leung, Dik-Lung Ma
ABSTRACT

We report herein a novel luminescent iridium(III) complex with two hydrophobic carbon chains as a non-reaction based chemosensor for the detection of Hg(2+) ions in aqueous solution (<0.002% of organic solvent attributed to the probe solution). Upon the addition of Hg(2+) ions, the emission intensity of the complex was significantly enhanced and this change could be monitored by the naked eye under UV irradiation. The iridium(III) complex shows high specificity for Hg(2+) ions over eighteen other cations. The system is capable of detecting micromolar levels of Hg(2+) ions, which is within the range of many chemical systems.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, wire, diam. 0.15 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, powder, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, foil, thickness 0.25 mm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, evaporation slug, diam. × L 0.6 cm × 1.2 cm, 99.9% trace metals basis
Sigma-Aldrich
Iridium, black, powder, −200 mesh, ≥99% trace metals basis