Developing a novel fluorescence chemosensor by self-assembly of Bis-Schiff base within the channel of mesoporous SBA-15 for sensitive detecting of Hg2+ ions

A novel fluorescence chemosensor for Hg2+ ion has been developed by the assembly of fluorescence Bis-Schiff base PMBA within the channels of CPTES-modified SBA-15. The ordered porous structure of SBA-15 is still retained on the hybrid chemosensor material PMBA-SBA. A remarkable fluorescence quenching of PMBA-SBA by Hg2+ ion was attributed to heavy atom effect of Hg2+ ion. The linear detecting range of the hybrid mesoporous chemosensor for Hg2+ ion is 2–15 μM and the lowest detection limit is 0.6 μM in ethanol/water (9:1, v/v) solution.