MoS2 nanosheet mediated ZnO–g-C3N4 nanocomposite as a peroxidase mimic: catalytic activity and application in the colorimetric determination of Hg(ii)

Abstract

A novel colorimetric sensing platform using the peroxidase mimicking activity of ternary MoS₂-loaded ZnO–g-C₃N₄ nanocomposites (ZnO–g-C₃N₄/MoS₂) has been developed for the determination of Hg(II) ions over co-existing metal ions. The nanocomposite was prepared using an exfoliation process, and the product was further characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD and FTIR analysis. The ZnO–g-C₃N₄/MoS₂ possesses excellent intrinsic catalytic activity to induce the oxidation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) in aqueous solution in the presence of H₂O₂ to generate deep blue coloured cation radicals (TMB⁺) which can be viewed with the naked eye and produce absorbance at a wavelength of 652 nm. The addition of a well known bioradical scavenger, glutathione (GSH), to the solution hinders the generation of cation radicals and turns the solution colourless. The introduction of Hg(II) to this solution brings the blue colour back into it, due to the strong affinity of the thiol in the GSH. Based on this mechanism, we have developed a simple and rapid colorimetric sensor for the highly sensitive and selective detection of Hg(II) ions in aqueous solution with a low detection limit of 1.9 nM. Furthermore, the prepared colorimetric sensor was effectively applied for the quantification analysis of real water samples.