Improved photoelectrochemical detection of mercury (II) with a TiO2-modified composite photoelectrode

The spectrophotometric change of a mercury (II) (Hg2+) selective small molecule chemosensor has been successfully converted into a photovoltaic response upon ligating Hg2+. The photon excitation was followed by charge separation facilitated by TiO2 and polyaniline (PANI), resulting in an electron transfer to an electrical back contact. The photoresponse of the Hg2+ selective chromophore was converted to an electron current equivalent to the amount of Hg2+ in solution. The favourable properties of a Hg2+ sensitive chemosensor was combined with the semiconductor capabilities of TiO2 to construct a sensor that is capable of generating a current in the presence of Hg2+ under illumination. A composite of the fluorescent chemosensor rhodamine 6G hydrozone derivative (RS) and PANI was immobilized on indium tin oxide (ITO) plates coated with TiO2 and subjected to photovoltammetric measurements. The photovoltammetric responses of the coated layers were investigated to determine the sensitivity and selectivity of the immobilized sensor to Hg2+ in the presence of background ions. The photo-response increased linearly with increasing Hg2+ concentration from 10 to 200 μg L−1 with a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 4 μg L−1. The pH independence for the photoresponse was limited by the TiO2 layer and was optimal between pH 6 and 7.