Dual-signal fenamithion probe by combining fluorescence with colorimetry based on Rhodamine B modified silver nanoparticles

Abstract

A versatile yet simple strategy for the fabrication of a highly selective and sensitive fenamithion probe based on Rhodamine B (RB) modified silver nanoparticles (RB-Ag NPs) was developed. The advantage of our system over classical assays is that it combined fluorescence with colorimetry which can realize the prompt on-site and real-time detection of fenamithion with high sensitivity (0.1 nM) in aqueous solution. Moreover, the detection system presents excellent anti-disturbance ability when exposed to a series of interfering ionic/pesticides mixtures and can be applied to the determination of fenamithion in real vegetables and different water samples with the limit of detection (LOD) as low as 10 nM (0.0026 mg L⁻¹), which is in accord with the maximum contamination level of 0.001∼0.25 mg L⁻¹ for organophosphorus pesticides as defined by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Advantage is taken of the fact that RB would be displaced from the surface of the Ag NPs because of the stronger coordination ability of Ag NPs with fenamithion, an amino-containing organophosphorus pesticide, accompanying the clustered Ag NPs (9 nm) dissipating into smaller individual particles (7 nm). Based on this phenomenon, a novel analyte-induced etching mechanism was proposed.