Mercury detection in a microfluidic device by using a molecular sensor soluble in organoaqueous solvent.

A series of fluorescent sensor molecules based on a phosphane sulfide derivative that is soluble in an organoaqueous solvent were designed and synthesized. The structure of the fluorophore has been optimized in order to have the best compromise in terms of solubility and photophysical properties. The obtained properties are in full agreement with quantum chemical calculations. A fluorescent molecular sensor containing one polyoxoethylene group has been synthesized and an efficient quenching upon mercury complexation has been observed. Finally, this sensing molecule has been introduced in a microfluidic chip in which fluorescence detection has been integrated. An efficient fluorescence response was observed upon mercury addition.