Selective determination of trace boron based on resonance Rayleigh scattering energy transfer from nanogold aggregate to complex of boric acid–azomethine-H

Abstract

The nanogold particles were aggregated to stable nanogold aggregates as nanoprobes that exhibited a resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak at 400 nm in the pH 5.6 NH₄Ac–HAc buffer solutions and in the presence of azomethine-H (AMH). Upon addition of boric acid, it reacts with AMH to form AMH–boric acid (AMH–B) complexes. When the complexes (as receptors) are close to the nanogold aggregates (as donors), the RRS-energy transfer (ET) takes place, which results in the RRS signal quenching at 400 nm. The quenching intensity responds linearly with the concentration of boron over 5–500 ng mL⁻¹ B.