Ultrasensitive fluorescence sensor for Hg in food based on three-dimensional upconversion nanoclusters and aptamer-modulated thymine-Hg-thymine strategy.

Mercury (Hg) is a potentially toxic heavy metal ion found to be drastically deleterious to humans. Herein, an ultrasensitive fluorescence sensor was developed using three-dimensional upconversion nanoclusters (EBSUCNPs) and aptamer-modulated thymine-Hg-thymine strategy. The EBSUCNPs were used as the energy donors, the PDANPs served as the acceptors, and the aptamer was applied as an identification tag for Hg.