A simple visual and highly selective colorimetric detection of Hg2+ based on gold nanoparticles modified by 8-hydroxyquinolines and oxalates†
Abstract
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified by 8-hydroxy-quinoline (8-HQ) and stabilized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used for highly selective and sensitive colorimetric detection of Hg2+ based on the quick aggregation of AuNPs leading to a color change from wine red to gray. The limit of Hg2+ detection in real environmental water samples is 4.0 × 10−7 M by the naked eyes and 1.0 × 10−8 M by UV-vis spectroscopy.