Hg²⁺-trapping beads: Hg²⁺-specific recognition through thymine-Hg(II)-thymine base pairing

Mercury pollution poses a severe threat to human health. To remove Hg ²⁺ from contaminated water, we synthesized Hg²⁺-trapping beads that include oligo-thymidine functionalities that can form thymine-Hg(II)-thymine base pairs on the solid support. The beads can selectively trap Hg²⁺ even in the presence of other metal cations. More interestingly, Hg²⁺-trapping efficiency was higher in the presence of the co-existing cations. Thus, the developed Hg²⁺- trapping beads can capture Hg²⁺ without affecting the mineral balance of water so much. The Hg²⁺-trapping beads presented here show promise for removing Hg²⁺ from environmental water.