Abstract
In the present study, we describe the facile synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and their nanostructures functionalized with 2-aminopyrimidine-4,6-diol (APD-AgNPs) for Hg2+ ion detection. The promising colorimetric response of APD-AgNPs to detect Hg2+ ions was visible with naked eyes and spectroscopic changes were examined by using a UV-Visible spectrophotometer. The aggregation of APD-AgNPs upon addition of Hg2+ ions was due to the chelation effect of the functionalized nanostructures and results in a color change from pale brown to deep yellow color. The probing sensitivity was observed within five minutes with a detection limit of about 0.35 µM/L. The TEM images of APD-AgNPs showed polydispersed morphologies with hexagonal, heptagonal and spherical nanostructures with an average size between 10 to 40 nm. Furthermore, the sensing behavior of APD-AgNPs towards Hg2+ ions detection was investigated using docking and interaction studies.
Highlights
Toxic metal ions released from natural sources and industrial effluents have serious effects on human health and the environment [1,2,3]
Certain conventional techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) [9], inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) [10], high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [11], ion selective electrode (ISE) and flame photometry [12] are currently used for the determination of Hg2+
It’s worth mentioning that a screen-printed gold electrode (SPGE) with gold nanoparticles (GNPs) has been recently used for the electrochemical determination of mercury, chromium, lead and copper ions [13,14,15]
Summary
Toxic metal ions released from natural sources and industrial effluents have serious effects on human health and the environment [1,2,3]. In view of the toxic effects exerted by mercury, the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set an upper limit of 2 ppb (10 nM) for Hg(II) in safe drinking water [7]. The environmental concern about regulating this contaminant demands the development of new mercury detection methods that are cost-effective, rapid and facile in nature [8]. Certain conventional techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) [9], inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS) [10], high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) [11], ion selective electrode (ISE) and flame photometry [12] are currently used for the determination of Hg2+.
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