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Colorimetric detection of lead (II) based on silver nanoparticles capped with iminodiacetic acid

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Abstract

We report on a colorimetric probe for the determination of Pb(II). It is based on the use of silver nanoparticles that have been functionalizd with iminodiacetic acid (IDA-Ag NPs). The absorption spectrum and solution color of IDA-Ag NPs undergo dramatic changes on exposure to Pb(II) with a new absorption peak appearing at 650 nm and a concomitant color change from yellow to green. This is assumed to result from the aggregation of IDA-Ag NPs induced by Pb(II). Under optimum conditions, there is a linear relationship between the ratio of the absorbances at 650 and 396 nm, respectively, and the concentration of Pb(II) in the 0.4 to 8.0 μM concentration range, with a detection limit of 13 nM. The method was applied to the determination of Pb(II) in tap water and urea samples, and recoveries ranged from 93.7 % to 98.6 %.

A colorimetric probe based on iminodiacetic acid-functionalized silver nanoparticles (IDA-Ag NPs) was obtained and used for determination of Pb2+. The color change from yellow to green was assumed to result from the aggregation of the NPs induced by Pb(II) ions. The assay was possessed highly selectivity to lead(II) over the other ions.

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Acknowledgements

Financial supports from Natural Science Foundation of China (no. 20965006) are highly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China

    Li Qi, Yan Shang & Fangying Wu

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  1. Li Qi
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  2. Yan Shang
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  3. Fangying Wu
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Correspondence to Fangying Wu.

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Qi, L., Shang, Y. & Wu, F. Colorimetric detection of lead (II) based on silver nanoparticles capped with iminodiacetic acid. Microchim Acta 178, 221–227 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-012-0832-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-012-0832-3

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