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Colorimetric and visual determination of ultratrace uranium concentrations based on the aggregation of amidoxime functionalized gold nanoparticles

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Abstract

The authors describe the synthesis and characterization of 3-mercaptopropionylamidoxime functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for visual detection of uranium (U) by cloud point extraction. The method is capable of quantifying U at the concentration limits set by the World Health Organization in drinking water i.e., 30.0 ng mL−1. The method is based on the gradual color change from red to blue that occurs as a result of the interaction between uranyl ion and the modified AuNPs leading to particle aggregation. Such analyte-triggered aggregation results in AuNP’s peak absorbance quenching as well as red shift in the wavelength range of 520 to 543 nm. The colorimetric response at 520 nm is linear in the 2–100 ng mL−1 U concentration range, and the limit of detection is 0.3 ng mL−1. No interferences by other ions are found, and the relative standard deviation is ≤4% (for n = 5). The method is validated by analyzing a certified reference material (NIST SRM 1640a; natural water), and also applied to the quantification of U in four (spiked) water samples.

Schematic presentation of cloud point extraction (CPE) assisted coloirmetric and visual detection of uranium (U). In CPE of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) the color of surfactant rich phase (SRP) turns red in absence of U(VI) and blue in presence of U(VI).

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Acknowledgments

The authors are indebted to Dr. B.G. Vats, FCD, BARC and Dr. R. Chowdhury, BOD, BARC for their constant help throughout the work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai, 400 094, India

    Abhijit Saha & Bhupendra Singh Tomar

  2. Radioanalytical Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    Abhijit Saha, Dumpala Rama Mohana Rao, Sadhan Bijoy Deb & Manoj Kumar Saxena

  3. Mechanical Metallurgy Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400 085, India

    Suman Neogy

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  1. Abhijit Saha
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  3. Dumpala Rama Mohana Rao
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  6. Bhupendra Singh Tomar
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Correspondence to Abhijit Saha.

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Saha, A., Neogy, S., Rao, D.R.M. et al. Colorimetric and visual determination of ultratrace uranium concentrations based on the aggregation of amidoxime functionalized gold nanoparticles. Microchim Acta 186, 183 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3292-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-019-3292-1

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