Highly sensitive fluorescence probe based on chitosan nanoparticle for selective detection of Hg2+ in water

A fluorescence chitosan chemosensor (DA-CN) was successfully synthesized by a simple substitution reaction at the amino groups of chitosan nanoparticle (CN) with dansyl chloride. Further experiments showed that the fluorescence chitosan chemosensor had excellent dispersibility and stability in aqueous solution at ambient temperature. Fluorescence characterization showed that the obtained fluorescence probe based on CN could selectively and sensitively recognize Hg2+ over other metal ions in water within a broad pH span, suggesting the possibility for real-time qualitative or quantitative detection of Hg2+ and the convenience for potential application in biosensors, toxicology and environmental science.