A sulfur-containing fluorescent hybrid porous polymer for selective detection and adsorption of Hg2+ ions

Developing dual-function materials that can simultaneously detect and remove mercury ions (Hg2+) is significant because water contamination caused by Hg2+ has greatly threatened environmental and human health. However, it is difficult to achieve efficient dual-function. Herein, we report a highly efficient and selective dual-function material, that is, a sulfur-containing fluorescent hybrid porous polymer (HPP-SH), for the detection and adsorption of Hg2+. HPP-SH was simply prepared by the Heck reaction of octavinylsilsesquioxane and 4,4 '-dibromobiphenyl and subsequent post-functionalization by a thiol-ene reaction of 1,2-ethanedithiol with retained vinyl groups in the framework. HPP-SH suspension in water can selectively and efficiently detect Hg2+ ions with a low limit of detection of 4.48 ppb by a fluorescence "turn-off" mode, and capture Hg2+ ions with a maximum adsorption capacity of 900.9 mg g(-1) and without the interference of other metal ions. The adsorption process conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir model. Moreover, the material can be easily recycled for repeated adsorption of Hg2+ ions. The excellent dual-function performance is better than those of most of the previous Hg2+ sensors or adsorbents. These results reveal that the present material can be utilized as a promising candidate for Hg2+ detection and removal from aqueous solutions. More efficient Hg2+ sensors and/or adsorbents can be conceived and prepared by this simple strategy.