Patent ID: 8679849

Claim:
A method for detection of heavy metal ions in an aqueous solution, comprising: providing a detection material, wherein the detection material includes a hydrophilic layer which is at least partially covered by a hydrophobic layer formed from a long-chain compound selected from the group consisting of a long-chain thiol, a long-chain fatty acid, and combinations thereof, and wherein a detection area is defined by an area covered by the hydrophobic layer, and the area has a surface having an initial contact angle with water of more than or equal to about 120°; contacting the detection area of the detection material with an aqueous solution sample; determining whether the surface of the detection area of the detection material has a hydrophobicity-hydrophilicity change after the detection area is contacted with the aqueous solution sample; and deciding whether heavy metal ions exist in the aqueous solution sample according to the determination.