Hybrid Porous Silicon- Rhodamine B Derivative Nanostructures as Chemical Sensor for Hg(II) Detection

Sensing of heavy metals in aqueous solutions has been performed by developing porous silicon (PSi) hybrid materials. The Rhodamine organosilane derivative (Rh-UTES) was used as metal receptor through formation of luminescence chelates within the porous silicon microcavities (PSiMc). The attachment of organic derivative into PSiMc was confirmed by FTIR, specular reflectance and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The complexing ability of Rh-UTES receptor to Hg+2 detection was investigated by fluorescent spectroscopy and microscopy. We found that the fluorescent intensity of the PSiMc hybrid device is metal concentration dependent. Similar behavior was observed in liquid and solid phase. Metal-Ligand affinity was study by electrochemical techniques.