Smartphone-enabled mesoporous silica nanotube chemosensors for quick and selective mercury detection in water and cosmetics

The pervasive presence of mercury in water and cosmetics poses significant health risks, necessitating the development of a method for the in-situ monitoring and extraction of mercury ions. This study introduces a novel approach utilizing Mesoporous Silica Nanotubes (MSNTs) with a unique worm-like structure, providing an expansive surface area ideal for the adsorption of a Hg2+ ion chromophore, N,N,N,N′-Tetramethyl-4,4′-diaminobenzophenone. This configuration enables rapid and visible detection of toxic mercury, with a color transition from yellow to green that is easily discernible by the naked eye. The sensitivity of the Mercury nano-sensor (MNS) is remarkably high, with a detection limit of 1.9 × 10-8 M as determined by digital image analysis, and 4.9 × 10-8 M via spectrophotometric methods—both well below the WHO guidelines for drinking water. The MNS's low detection threshold, coupled with its reusability after simple regeneration, positions it as an effective tool for preliminary water testing. The findings suggest that the MNS, requiring only 10 mg for measurements, offers a promising solution for the real-time visualization of mercury ions, enhancing safety measures in water and cosmetic products.