Synthesis of fluorescent tungsten disulfide by nitrogen atom doping and its application for mercury(ii) detection

Abstract

A facile and eco-friendly approach for synthesizing fluorescent tungsten disulfide (WS₂) nanosheets was developed via nitrogen atom doping using melamine as the nitrogen source. After nitrogen atom doping, the WS₂ showed excellent ultraviolet emission and good stability. Further, the fluorescent WS₂ was used as a fluorescent probe for mercury(II) (Hg²⁺) detection, with a detection limit of 0.02 μM. Finally, this fluorescent nanoprobe was applied to the determination of Hg²⁺ in real water samples and demonstrated satisfactory results.