A portable dual-mode colorimetric platform for sensitive detection of Hg2+based on NiSe2 with Hg2+-Activated oxidase-like activity

The nanozyme-based colorimetric strategy for heavy metal detection has broad application prospects nowadays. However, the inefficient recognition capabilities of nanozyme sensors for targets hinder its further application. Herein, the authors synthesize bare nickel selenide (NiSe2) via a one-step hydrothermal reaction, in which the Se element possesses a strong binding ability with mercury (Hg). As expected, NiSe2 exhibits oxidase-like activity in the presence of Hg2+, that is, Hg2+ can enhance the oxidase-like activity of NiSe2. The enhanced mechanism is the accelerated electron transfer between NiSe2-Hg2+ and substrate caused by the formation of Hg-Se bonds. Besides, the oxidase-like activity of NiSe2 exhibits excellent selectivity, sensitivity and stability in response to Hg2+, which enables NiSe2-Hg2+ to efficiently oxidize colorless TMB to blue TMB even in harsh environments. Based on this, a dual-mode colorimetric sensor integrating solution reaction and test paper is developed for the detection of Hg2+. In the Hg2+ concentration range of 10-700 nM, the colorimetric platform presents a liner response to Hg2+, which can reach a low LOD of 5.18 nM in solution reaction and 8.42 nM in the test paper. The proposed strategy can also be applied to real water samples with good recovery and excellent self-calibration capability.

Automated summary

This study synthesizes bare nickel selenide nanozyme and utilizes its oxidase-like activity to enhance the recognition capability for mercury. The nanozyme exhibits excellent selectivity, sensitivity, and stability in detecting mercury even in harsh environments. Additionally, a dual-mode colorimetric sensor is developed for convenient solution reaction and test paper detection.