Abstract
It is imperative to develop a rapid detection method for Hg(2+) due to its harm to human health and the ecological environment. In this research, CuO/Au@Cu(3)(BTC)(2) was synthesized through reducing HAuCl(4) by Cu(x)O@Cu(3)(BTC)(2), which was obtained by reducing Cu(3)(BTC)(2) with hydrazine hydrate. The oxidase-mimic activity of CuO/Au@Cu(3)(BTC)(2) can be enhanced by Hg(2+) through forming a Au-Hg alloy. Therefore, a colorimetric method was designed for Hg(2+) detection with a linear relationship in the 0.05-25 μM range and a limit of detection of 9.7 nM. This strategy exhibited a strong selectivity to Hg(2+) and was applied in a real water sample with reliable recoveries. This work provides a possibility for the rapid detection of Hg(2+).