Magnetic self-assembled zeolite clusters for sensitive detection and rapid removal of mercury(II).

We reported here the fabrication of a hierarchical mesoporous zeolite nanocomposite using 20 nm crystalline domins of zeolite L as building "bricks" by a simple and general one-step synthetic approach. By taking advantages of the large pore volumes, superparamagnetic iron oxide nanocrystals could be encapsulated into the nanocomposite conveniently for further facilitate separation and detection. In addition, by covalent coupling of fluorescent receptor (rhodamine-hydrazine), the combination of well-defined inorganic nanomaterials and organic receptors could be applied to selective detection of Hg(2+). Importantly, the unique adsorption capacity enabled by the hierarchical mesoporous zeolite and the efficient removal ability form complex multiphase systems by the magnetic characteristic made this multifunctional nanomaterial an excellent probe for detection, adsorption, and removal of Hg(2+) from waste aqueous solution.