Coordination array for accurate colorimetric sensing of multiple heavy metal ions

Heavy metals detection is of great significance to the environment and human health, and most of the detection methods require expensive instruments and laborious operation. Herein, we present a coordination array for accurate and rapid colorimetric heavy metal ions sensing. The array was composed of six chelates and has cross response to Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+ and Cu2+. The results could be observed by naked eyes or detected by plate reader combined with pattern analysis. Linear discrimination analysis was applied for the pattern analysis and the four heavy metal ions (Pb2+, Cd2+, Hg2+ and Cu2+) generated a clustering map at 1 μM. The coordination array demonstrates a great potential for sensing heavy metal ions simultaneously.