Naked-eye colorimetric and switch-on fluorescence chemosensor based on a rhodamine derivative for Hg2+: Smartphone device, test-kit and food sample applications

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. A, Chemistry. Chemistry., 2023-04, Vol.438, p.114558, Article 114558
• Main Authors: Genc, Hayriye Nevin, Guctekin Yasar, Ozlem, Karuk Elmas, Sukriye Nihan, Arslan, Fatma Nur, Yilmaz, Ibrahim, Sirit, Abdulkadir
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colorimetric; Fluorescence; Mercury; Rhodamine; Smartphone
• ISSN: 1010-6030
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotochem.2023.114558

[Display omitted] •A novel rhodamine-based colorimetric and switch-on fluorescent sensor RHEN was fabricated for Hg2+.•The limit of detection of the RHEN was found as 0.11 µM.•RHEN was utilized to identify Hg2+ in food samples and test kit applications.•The practical performance of RHEN was successfully used for Smartphone application. A new rhodamine-based switch-on fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor (RHEN) was fabricated for the determination of Hg2+. The RHEN showed a noticeable colorimetric response for Hg2+ from ''colorless'' to ''pink'' under daylight. When exposed to Hg2+, the fluorescence at 582 nm from the probe RHEN was remarkably enhanced, attend by a color change from ''colorless'' to ''dusty rose color'' under 365 nm UV lamp. The RHEN had a notable specificity and selectivity for Hg2+ and depicted an excellent sensing performance for detectinglowlyconcentrated Hg2+ (LOD; 0.11 µM). The binding phenomenon between RHEN and Hg2+ was identified by Job's method, MALDI TOF-MS and FT-IR spectroscopy. Moreover, the fabricated chemoprobe RHEN was not only utilized to identify Hg2+ in fish samples with satisfactory results (95.28–111.66 %) but also was successfully used for test-paper and cotton swab applications. Smartphone application also showed that RHEN could be used as a potent tool for on-site sensing of Hg2+ without the need for complicated device.