Thiourea Derivatives, Simple in Structure but Efficient Enzyme Inhibitors and Mercury Sensors

In this study six unsymmetrical thiourea derivatives, 1-isobutyl-3-cyclohexylthiourea (1), 1-tert-butyl-3-cyclohexylthiourea (2), 1-(3-chlorophenyl)-3-cyclohexylthiourea (3), 1-(1,1-dibutyl)-3-phenylthiourea (4), 1-(2-chlorophenyl)-3-phenylthiourea (5) and 1-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-phenylthiourea (6) were obtained in the laboratory under aerobic conditions. Compounds 3 and 4 are crystalline and their structure was determined for their single crystal. Compounds 3 is monoclinic system with space group P21/n while compound 4 is trigonal, space group R3:H. Compounds (1–6) were tested for their anti-cholinesterase activity against acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (hereafter abbreviated as, AChE and BChE, respectively). Potentials (all compounds) as sensing probes for determination of deadly toxic metal (mercury) using spectrofluorimetric technique were also investigated. Compound 3 exhibited better enzyme inhibition IC50 values of 50, and 60 µg/mL against AChE and BChE with docking score of −10.01, and −8.04 kJ/mol, respectively. The compound also showed moderate sensitivity during fluorescence studies.

Multicolour fluorescent carbon nanoparticle probes for live cell imaging and dual palladium and mercury sensors

Cytocompatible carbon nanoparticles (CNPs) having high quantum yield and multicolour bioimaging properties were synthesized and employed as sensitive, selective and rapid dual sensor for Pd2+ and Hg2+.

Correction: Multicolour fluorescent carbon nanoparticle probes for live cell imaging and dual palladium and mercury sensors

Correction for ‘Multicolour fluorescent carbon nanoparticle probes for live cell imaging and dual palladium and mercury sensors’ by Vinay Sharma et al., J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016, 4, 2466–2476.

Connecting science with industry: lessons learned transferring a novel plasmonic mercury sensor from the bench to the field

Mercury is a pollutant of pressing global concern. National and international efforts are focused on reducing mercury in the environment to prevent its adverse health impacts. Better sensors would aid in these efforts. This paper details ongoing efforts to deploy novel plasmonic mercury sensors. The authors describe the research efforts to develop the fundamental technology in a research lab and the experience translating that fundamental research into a viable field-ready sensor. Lessons learned along the way are explored.

A PEGylated colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent sensor based on BODIPY for Hg(ii) detection in water

We herein reported a click strategy to fabricate two kinds of colorimetric and turn-on fluorescent dual-modal mercury sensors (PEG-DMS), which could detect mercury ion in pure water with high selectivity and sensitivity.

Determining the Optimum Exposure and Recovery Periods for Efficient Operation of a QCM Based Elemental Mercury Vapor Sensor

In recent years, mass based transducers such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) have gained huge interest as potential sensors for online detection of elemental mercury (Hg0) vapor from anthropogenic sources due to their high portability and robust nature enabling them to withstand harsh industrial environments. In this study, we determined the optimal Hg0exposure and recovery times of a QCM based sensor for ensuring its efficient operation while monitoring low concentrations of Hg0vapor (<400 ppbv). The developed sensor was based on an AT-cut quartz substrate and utilized two gold (Au) films on either side of the substrate which functions as the electrodes and selective layer simultaneously. Given the temporal response mechanisms associated with mass based mercury sensors, the experiments involved the variation of Hg0vapor exposure periods while keeping the recovery time constant following each exposure and vice versa. The results indicated that an optimum exposure and recovery periods of 30 and 90 minutes, respectively, can be utilized to acquire the highest response magnitudes and recovery rate towards a certain concentration of Hg0vapor whilst keeping the time it takes to report an accurate reading by the sensor to a minimum level as required in real-world applications.