Biomimetic mercury immobilization by selenium functionalized polyphenylene sulfide fabric

Hailong Li, Fanyue Meng, Penglin Zhu, Hongxiao Zu, Zequn Yang, Wenqi Qu and Jianping Yang ()
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Hailong Li: Central South University
Fanyue Meng: Central South University
Penglin Zhu: Central South University
Hongxiao Zu: Central South University
Zequn Yang: Central South University
Wenqi Qu: Central South University
Jianping Yang: Central South University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Highly efficient decontamination of elemental mercury (Hg0) remains an enormous challenge for public health and ecosystem protection. The artificial conversion of Hg0 into mercury chalcogenides could achieve Hg0 detoxification and close the global mercury cycle. Herein, taking inspiration from the bio-detoxification of mercury, in which selenium preferentially converts mercury from sulfoproteins to HgSe, we propose a biomimetic approach to enhance the conversion of Hg0 into mercury chalcogenides. In this proof-of-concept design, we use sulfur-rich polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) as the Hg0 transporter. The relatively stable, sulfur-linked aromatic rings result in weak adsorption of Hg0 on the PPS rather than the formation of metastable HgS. The weakly adsorbed mercury subsequently migrates to the adjacent selenium sites for permanent immobilization. The sulfur-selenium pair affords an unprecedented Hg0 adsorption capacity and uptake rate of 1621.9 mg g−1 and 1005.6 μg g−1 min−1, respectively, which are the highest recorded values among various benchmark materials. This work presents an intriguing concept for preparing Hg0 adsorbents and could pave the way for the biomimetic remediation of diverse pollutants.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45486-7

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