Metal cations can be selectively detected by restoring and quenching the fluorescent intensity of an “ON–OFF” gold nanocluster (Au NC) sensor. The fluorescent intensity of Au NCs with metal cations can be restored by chelating with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid except for Hg2+ ions. A highly selective detection of Hg2+ ion is also achieved under the coexistence of Fe3+ or Cr3+ ions. This assay was applied successfully for detecting Hg2+ in a water sample. The dynamic range of the system was 1 ppm to 25 ppb, and the limit of detection was 25 ppb.
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