Capture and sensing of mercury ions by self-assembly supramolecular carbene complexes on tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) sensors

Addressing the global issue of mercury contamination and its ecological impacts, this study introduces a cutting-edge approach with tilted fiber Bragg grating (TFBG) sensors coated with carbene precursors for real-time mercury ion monitoring. These precursors, assembled on the sensors, enable precise detection of low mercury concentrations, a critical advancement for environmental protection. The study achieved significant advancements in the sensing of mercury ions by utilizing mono- and dicationic carbene precursors that self-assemble on the TFBG sensors. The sensor coated with 3HP-C3COOC2-SR3 exhibited an average sensitivity of 0.004 dB/ppm and a linearity R2 of 0.971, highlighting its exceptional capability to detect low mercury concentrations with high precision. Notably, one sensor demonstrated exceptional sensitivity and accuracy, marking significant progress in environmental sensing technology and offering a method for safeguarding ecosystems and human health from mercury's harmful effects.