A highly sensitive "test paper" for Hg2+ ions based on polyurethane membrane

作者:Li, Xianghong; Yang, Zhen; Cheng, Xinjian*; Zhang, Huijuan; Wu, Guiping; Zhang, Aiqing
来源:Polymers for Advanced Technologies, 2013, 24(12): 1110-1112.
DOI:10.1002/pat.3192

摘要

Heavy metals have caused a lot of serious problems to human beings. A reusable, highly sensitive metal sensor based on polyurethane membrane, which can detect and remove Hg2+ ions, was prepared and tested in this work. A sensor with hydroxyl (-OH) group was grafted to polyurethane, and the heavy metal sensitive membrane was synthesized accordingly. Upon addition of Hg2+ ion solution to the as-prepared membrane, the color change occurred instantly. Moreover, different colors appeared with different concentration of the Hg2+ ions, which could make the membrane be employed as a heavy metal test paper. In addition, the membrane sensor could be recycled after the interaction with Hg2+ ions by treating the used membrane with dilute ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid 2Na solution. This efficient and easily prepared membrane-based sensor has a promising application in environmental science.