Colorimetric probe for Ni2+ based on shape transformation of triangular silver nanoprisms upon H2O2 etching

Abstract

In this article, a highly sensitive and selective colorimetric method for the detection of Ni2+ ions is presented on the basis of hydrogen peroxide etching of triangular silver nanoprisms (AgNPrs). Triangular AgNPrs were synthesized by a modified seed-mediated growth method, and upon addition of Ni2+ ions these triangular AgNPrs showed a significant colorimetric change from blue to reddish brown, and eventually yellow to as a function of the Ni2+ ion concentration. Ni2+ ion do not act as a selective etchant to triangular AgNPrs, but instead serve as a catalyst for the generation of H2O2 in a citrate-capped triangular AgNPr colloidal solution. The oxidative etching with H2O2 formed in the colloidal solution sculptured the sharp corners/edges of the triangular AgNPrs to produce circular Ag nanodisk. Selectivity tests for Ni2+ ions by the triangular AgNPr probe were performed in the presence of other various cations and anions at the optimized conditions (pH 8, 15 °C, and 30 min of reaction time). The probe showed a high linearity between absorption ratio (A475/A750) and concentration in the range of 0 to 30 μM of Ni2+, with a limit of detection of 21.6 nM in aqueous solution. The color and UV–vis absorption spectrum of the triangular AgNPr probe indicated that it is quite stable for two weeks in ambient temperature and pH ranges of 4.0˜10.0. This triangular AgNPr probe was successfully employed for the detection of Ni2+ ions in spiked tap and pond water samples.