A Simple Fluorescence Turn-on Probe for the Detection of Hg2+Ion in Aqueous Solution and Soil WithAIEandICTMechanisms

A novel fluorescent probe TSA for the high selectivity of mercury (Hg2+) ion has been explored, which was obtained by two-step synthesis. Probe TSA was barely emissive in HEPES buffer. In the presence of Hg(2+)ion, the dithioacetal unit in probe TSA was hydrolyzed to be formyl group, consequently causing the intense sky-blue emission via aggregation-induced emission and intramolecular charge transfer mechanisms. Moreover, probe TSA was potential to detect Hg(2+)ion in dyeing wastewater and clay soil.