This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Mercury contamination presents an obvious challenge: it is invisible. A glass of water or a piece of fruit can seem perfectly normal to the naked eye, even when trace amounts of toxic mercury are present.
Detecting such minute levels usually requires specialized laboratory tools and trained experts. Researchers at Istanbul Technical University (ITU) have created a molecule that provides an alternative method to detect mercury. When mercury(II) ions are present, the sensor changes color and starts emitting near-infrared light, transforming an invisible contaminant into a measurable signal.
The research is published in the journal Talanta. The new sensor functions like a tiny warning light that remains off until mercury(II) ions are detected. At its core, NIR-2 contains a selenium-based molecule.
Normally, this molecule is in a closed form and emits minimal light. Mercury(II) ions, however, strongly attract selenium. When a mercury(II) ion contacts the sensor, it pulls on the molecular lock, causing the structure to open.
This small chemical change results in a noticeable change: the solution transitions from yellow to green and emits intense near-infrared light. Essentially, mercury(II) triggers the alarm. What sets NIR-2 apart is its design around this selenium-based molecular switch.
The same reaction produces both a visible color change and a near-infrared fluorescent signal. The sensor offers rapid response, high sensitivity and multiple methods for reading results. The color change can be seen directly or captured with a camera, while the near-infrared signal can be detected using lab instruments and used for cellular imaging.
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