Functional surface modification of natural cellulose substances for colorimetric detection and adsorption of Hg2+ in aqueous media.

Immobilization of ruthenium dye or mercaptosilane monolayer onto metal oxide ultrathin film pre-coated cellulose nanofibres of natural cellulose substances yielded colorimetric sensing materials with high sensitivity and selectivity as well as good reversibility, and trapping materials with high efficiency for detection and adsorption of Hg(2+) ions in aqueous media.