Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogen-Encapsulated Fluorescent Hydrogels Enable Rapid and Sensitive Quantitative Detection of Mercury Ions

Hg2+ contamination in sewage can accumulate in the human body through the food chains and cause health problems. Herein, a novel aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen)-encapsulated hydrogel probe for ultrasensitive detection of Hg2+ was developed by integrating hydrophobic AIEgens into hydrophilic hydrogels. The working mechanism of the multi-fluorophore AIEgens (TPE-RB) is based on the dark through-bond energy transfer strategy, by which the energy of the dark tetraphenylethene (TPE) derivative is completely transferred to the rhodamine-B derivative (RB), thus resulting in intense photoluminescent intensity. The spatial networks of the supporting hydrogels further provide fixing sites for the hydrophobic AIEgens to enlarge accessible reaction surface for hydrosoluble Hg2+, as well create a confined reaction space to facilitate the interaction between the AIEgens and the Hg2+. In addition, the abundant hydrogen bonds of hydrogels further promote the Hg2+ adsorption, which significantly improves the sensitivity. The integrated TPE-RB-encapsulated hydrogels (TR hydrogels) present excellent specificity, accuracy and precision in Hg2+ detection in real-world water samples, with a 4-fold higher sensitivity compared to that of pure AIEgen probes. The as-developed TR hydrogel-based chemosensor holds promising potential as a robust, fast and effective bifunctional platform for the sensitive detection of Hg2+.

Automated summary

A hydrogel probe encapsulating aggregation-induced emission luminogen (AIEgen) was developed for ultrasensitive detection of Hg2+, with improved sensitivity through the use of hydrophilic hydrogels and spatial networks. The probe exhibited high specificity, accuracy and precision in detecting Hg2+ in real-world water samples, with a sensitivity 4-fold higher than that of pure AIEgen probes. This TR hydrogel-based chemosensor holds promising potential as a robust, fast and effective platform for sensitive Hg2+ detection.