Introduction

The distinctive optical properties of the noble metallic nanoparticles (Au, Ag, and Cu) have made them an irresistible prospect in miscellaneous applications, comprising of biotechnology, electronics, optical devices, sensors, catalyses [1] as well as in pharmaceuticals [2,3,4,5] and in textile [6]. Due to wide applications of noble metal nanoparticles, numbers of methods have been developed to synthesize NPs with variation in shape, size and topography [7]. Currently, copper is gaining application in the fields of medicines, optics, electronics, antimicrobial, nanofluids, efficient catalyst in production of lubricants and conductive films [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15]. However, colorimetric applications of copper nanoparticles are rarely found. Furthermore, low cost and easy availability of copper as compared to precious metal Au, Ag, Pt offers it as a suitable candidate [16]. One of the major problems in utilizing CuNPs in sensor application is their susceptibility to oxidation when exposed to air. In this regard various methods have been established to synthesize CuNPs by alternating the suitable parameters and under inert atmosphere [17, 18].

Dithiocarbamates are one of the frequently used sulfur-containing organic compounds [19]. They have wide spread applications in rubber manufacture, antioxidants [20], as antislime in paper making and also in production of sugar [21]. In this regard the amount consumed annually is estimated between 25,000 and 35,000 metric tons [22, 23]. Dithiocarbamates are categorized in different classes on the basis of their carbon skeleton and properties such as; ethylenebisdithiocarbamate (EBDTC) comprises of mancozeb, nabam, metiram, zineb, and maneb: propylenebisdithiocarbamate (PEBDTC) comprises of propineb: dimethyldithiocar-bamate (DMDTC) includes ziram, ferbam. Another category belonging to DTCs is tetramethylthiuram disulfide which comprises thiram pesticide [24].

The vast use of these pesticides has raised some environmental noxiousness and health antipathetic effects leading to chronic health problems, organ toxicity, effects on central and peripheral nervous system and thyroid functioning [21]. Due to all these, determination of these DTCs pesticides is taken into consideration to alleviate them from exposure to human beings and water contamination. Numerous analytical techniques have been employed to determine the pesticides such as; chromatography, flow-injection method, spectrometry, polarography, biosensor [20, 25, 26] and also through advanced techniques, LC–MS [27], LC–MS/MS [28], GC–flame photometric detection [29], MS [30], hydrophilic injection liquid chromatography (HILC) [31] and HPLC–DAD [32]. Most commonly dithiocarbamates are determined by CS2 evolution procedure being lengthy and a less-sensitive method. On the other hand, HPLC, GC, MS etc. being sensitive advanced techniques, they are cost effective, time-consuming, have lengthy processing, and require special additives. With the increasing use of dithiocarbamates in agriculture, there is need for the design of highly sensitive discriminatory and speedy method for their determination. In this regard, metal nanoparticles have attracted considerable attention as colorimetric sensors because of their simplicity and efficiency. Noteworthy gold and silver nanoparticles have been used in the detection of dithiocarbamates [33,34,35,36,37] with abrupt color change visible to naked eye. To the best of our knowledge any procedure is reported on colorimetric sensing of DTC pesticides using copper nanoparticles.

In present work CTAB-CuNPs-based colorimetric sensor for DTCs has been established due to its simple, speedy, and subtle nature. The practical potency of the sensor was demonstrated by sensing DTCs in environmental (water) and juice sample (tomato vegetable and commercial mango beverage). This scheme examines the method for sensing of dithiocarbamates ziram, zineb and maneb and compares with reported procedures using precious metal gold or silver nanoparticles.

Experimental

Hydrochloric acid (HCl), copper chloride dihydrated (CuCl2·2H2O), hydrazine monohydrate (N2H4·H2O), ethylenediamine (C2H8N2), manganese sulfate (MnSO4), zinc acetate (ZnC4H6O4), sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3), potassium chloride (KCl), ammonium chloride (NH4Cl), ammonium acetate (C2H7NO2) and dimethyl sulfoxide (C2H6OS) were obtained from Merck, Darmstadt, Germany. Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (C19H42Br), sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium acetate (NaC4H7NO2) were purchased from Scharlu, Spain. Magnesium carbonate was obtained from Fluka, Switzerland. All the solutions used in experimental work were prepared in distilled water. Glasswares were cleaned in nitric acid (HNO3) (0.1 N) (E, Merck Germany) and then washed with double distilled water and dried in preheated oven (110 Ċ).

Preparation of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs)

Preparation of copper nanoparticles was accompanied by following reported method [38] with some modifications via wet chemical reduction method. In a typical synthetic method 4 ml of (0.03 M) CuCl2.2H2O solution was diluted with 76 ml of distilled water and obtained a light bluish colored solution. After that, 12 ml of 1% CTAB solution was added in bluish copper salt solution. The mixture was stirred continuously and followed by addition of hydrazine monohydrate (64–65% reagent grade, 98%) (8 ml) to start the reduction from Cu2+ salt to Cu0. The temperature of the reaction mixture was held at 80 °C. Color change was observed time-to-time from light bluish to wine reddish with number of transitional phases. Reddish color indicated the formation of CuNPs assisted by hydrazine monohydrate which served as reducing agent. The solution mixture was stirred for 30 min more to assure the complete reduction and capping of CuNPs. Temperature of the reaction mixture was maintained up to 80 °C during stirring also. The pH of the solution was measured and was 11.3.

Characterization

All ultraviolet–visible spectra of CuNPs samples were monitored by 220 Hitachi double-beam spectrophotometer (Hitachi (Pvt) Ltd, Tokyo, Japan) in range of 800–400 nm using dual 1 cm silica cuvettes. The FTIR spectra were recorded on Nicolet Atavar 330 (Thermo Nicolet Corporation, USA) with attenuated total reflectance accessary (smart partner) within 4000–600 cm−1. Orion 420 A pH meter (Orion Research Inc., Boston USA) was used to measure the pH of the solutions. The structural features (SEM and EDX) of the synthesized NPs with and without interaction of pesticides were recorded on scanning electron microscope (JEOL JSM-6490LV) at the center of Pure and Applied Geology, University of Sindh Jamshoro. The zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) size distribution of CTAB-CuNPs with and without addition of pesticides were determined using Zetasizer Nano-ZS Malvern instrument Inc, London UK at the department of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro.

Preparations of dithiocarbamate ziram, zineb and maneb pesticides

Zn and Mn salts of dithiocarbamates pesticides were prepared by reported method [39]. In a nutshell zinc salt of dimethyldithiocarbamate (Ziram) and zinc and manganese salts of ethylenebis dithiocarbamates (Zineb and Maneb) were synthesized from the reaction of primary amine (ethylenediamine) and secondary amine (dimethyl amine) with carbon disulfide in alkaline medium and later reaction was made with salts of zinc and manganese such as zinc acetate and manganese sulfate separately to form their corresponding metal complexes of Ziram, Zineb and Maneb pesticides. The reaction temperature was maintained below 40 °C. The solutions of pesticides so formed were kept at 4 °C when not in use. All solutions for pesticides were prepared in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and water.

Method development using diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC)

Initially, the probe was tested on the general reagent diethyldithiocarbamte (DEDTC) (belonging to the same category of dithiocarbamate group and is highly soluble in water and other polar solvents) to observe the potential of interaction with the change in plasmon and color. Based on this interaction, parameters such as, pH and time were optimised. Using this general reagent, choloroform test was also carried out to identify the type of interaction between probe and dithiocarbamtes. Latter results were checked and confirmed using DTC pesticides Ziram, Zineb and Maneb. After optimisation of parameters the probe was applied on the pesticides Ziram, Zineb and Maneb.

Chloroform test

A critical examination of chemical nature of dithiocarbamates with CTAB-stabilized copper NPs was performed using chloroform reagent. For this study two screw-capped sample vials were taken and in one was added 2 ml of CuNPs and in another solution of copper (11) chloride (2 ml) containing (50 µg Cu (II)) was added, followed by 1 ml borate buffer solution pH 8 and 1 ml of DEDTC reagent in each vial separately. Both the solutions were made to 10 ml and mixed well. Copper (II) solution developed yellow precipitates, but the solution of CuNPs remained clear. 2 ml chloroform each was added to both the solutions and contents were mixed well. The precipitates of copper (II) were dissolved and most of the color transferred to the chloroform layer. A similar transfer of the color to organic phase was not observed in case of CuNPs. Same observation was also seen with Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb.

Sensing of DTCs by CTAB-CuNP probe

To inspect the sensing potency of CTAB-CuNP as probe, 2 ml of CuNPs was taken in sample vial with 1 ml of Ziram (0.16–0.016 mM), Zineb (0.16–0.0016 mM) or Maneb (0.16–0.0016 mM) separately. Volume was adjusted to 10 ml with double distilled water. The contents were agitated and mixed well. The color change and spectra were monitored on spectrophotometer in the range of 400–800 nm. Images were also captured.

Analytical procedure for the determination of Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb pesticide

DTCs pesticides were determined quantitatively at 490 nm or better ratio of absorbance at 490:570 nm against concentration. For this 2 ml CTAB-CuNPs (1.2 mM) was taken in a 10 ml flask with 1 ml of sodium tetraborate-boric acid buffer of pH 8. The pesticides in the final concentration range of 97.8–978.5 ng/ml, 8.8–88.2 ng/ml and 8.4–84.8 ng/ml for Ziram, Zineb or Maneb was then added and volume was adjusted to 10 ml with distilled water. Change in color intensity was seen visibly with the rise in concentration of pesticides and samples were monitored on spectrophotometer after 45 min.

Practical utility of probe in environment and juice sample

The tap water samples were collected from laboratory (Institute of Advanced Research Studies in Chemical Sciences, Jamshoro Pakistan). The sample was filtered and 3 ml of tap water was spiked with 1 ml of Ziram (0.016 mM), 1 ml of each Zineb or Maneb (0.0016 mM) separately and total volume was made to 10 ml.

For tomato (purchased from local market of Jamshoro), extract was collected as reported method [40] with some modification. The tomato was soaked in distilled water, afterwards homogenized in grinder mixer for 30 s. 10 g was added to 25 ml of distilled water mixed well and filtered. On the remaining residue left over the filter paper, 25 ml of distilled water was again added. Finally, total extract solution was made to 100 ml. Then 1 ml from this extract was taken and spiked with 1 ml of Ziram, Zineb or Maneb pesticides separately with the total volume made up to 10 ml.

Similarly, for commercial mango drink 10 ml of mango juice was diluted to 100 ml with distilled water. Then 1 ml from this solution was taken and added to Ziram (0.016 Mm), Zineb (0.0016 mM) and Maneb (0.0016 mM) (1 ml) and volume was made up to 10 ml.

Different concentrations of aforementioned samples were taken within the calibration range of Ziram, Zineb and Maneb and analyzed using analytical procedure. The % recoveries were then calculated. The quantitation was made from linear regression equation. Their recoveries were calculated by following formula,

$$\% {\text{Recovery}} = {\text{Amount}}\,{\text{of}}\,{\text{pesticides}}\,{\text{calculated}}/{\text{Amount}}\,{\text{of}}\,{\text{pesticide}}\,{\text{added}} \times 100$$

Interference study of ions and pesticides

Selectivity of the as-prepared probe was determined in presence of different interferents including ions (Ca2+, K+, Al3+, Cl−, NO3−, CO32−) and pesticides (nitenpyram, imidacloprid, and pyriproxyfen) on the determination of 293.6 ng/ml of Ziram and 26.5 ng/ml of Zineb under similar working conditions and at pH 8 using borate buffer. The results obtained were compared with the standards without the presence of interfering ions or pesticides.

Nitenpyram, imidacloprid, and pyriproxyfen were examined both separately and in mixtures with the DTCs to evaluate their reciprocal action with the CuNPs and their possible competition to the DTC-induced accumulation of CuNPs. The tolerance limit determined was based on the maximum concentration of interferents causing ± 10% error in the examination of DTC pesticides. Selectivity of the probe was visualized on double-beam spectrophotometer and images were also captured in presence and absence of pesticides mixture in CuNPs. The chemical structures of different pesticides inspected are given in Fig. 1.

Fig. 1
figure 1

The chemical structures of pesticides inspected

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Zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) (size distribution) measurements

Zeta potential is related to the charge present on the surface of nanoparticles, which greatly effects the stability of particles in colloidal solutions through the electrostatic interaction between particles [41]. The charge and size distribution of CTAB-CuNPs and CTAB-CuNPs interacted with DTCs were measured using Malvern ZS-Nano analyser (Malvern instrument Inc., London U.K). The analysis was carried out at the parameters of temperature of 25 °C. Refractive index of the dispersant was 1.330, whereas material refractive index was 0.640. Viscosity of the medium was 0.887 cps. For analysis dilute solutions of copper nanoparticles (0.21 mM) and pesticides Ziram, Zineb and Maneb (0.012 mM) were selected, pH 8 was kept fixed with borate buffer. The solutions were stirred and ultrasonicated for 15 min to breakup any aggregates [42] and then 1–2 ml was transfered to the zeta-disposable cell. All working solutions were made in aqueous solvent. Each experiment was carried out at least three times and their mean values were calculated. Same experimental conditions were kept for DLS measurements of the solutions.

Results and discussion

First, copper nanoparticles were prepared by wet chemical reduction method, where cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide was used to protect the exterior of CuNPs and hydrazine monohydrate was used as reducing agent. Color change was from light bluish to wine reddish with intermediate stages and revealed the formation of copper nanoparticles. The prepared CuNPs were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, FTIR, SEM, and EDX techniques. Synthesis of CuNPs is one of the challenging tasks because it is highly susceptible to oxidation and is sensitive to air and the oxides phases are thermodynamically more stable. Copper NPs indicated its characteristic UV–visible peak at about 570 nm (Fig. 2a), presenting efficacious formation of CTAB-stabilized CuNPs [43]. Second most important challenge is to stabilize CuNPs, because NPs agglomerate when free, they communicate with each other and unite together, with the formation of the clusters and extinguish the anticipated properties of NPs [44, 45]. To avoid this risk, a suitable capping agent has remarkable role and CTAB capping agent was used owing to its amphiphilic nature having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic part [46]. A positive charge is created at the surface of CuNPs by hydrophilic part of CTAB, while hydrophobic part creates stearic hindrance to avoid the coagulations and oxidation. The colloidal solution was found to be stable maximally for 1 week. This stability is attributed to the strong hydrophobic interaction of long alkyl chain.

Fig. 2
figure 2

a UV–visible spectrum, b FTIR, c SEM image and d EDX spectrum of CTAB-stabilized copper nanoparticles

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FT-IR indicated C–H stretching bands observed at 2917–2849 cm−1 and stretching contributed by N+–CH3 was seen at 1556 cm−1 and 1409 cm−1. Bromide showed its presence at 750 cm−1. This showed the successful assembly of capping agent CTAB on CuNPs (Fig. 2b). The structural features of CTAB-CuNPs were demonstrated by SEM, which showed the rough surface morphology with thin rods on it (Fig. 2c). EDX monitored the elemental compositions of specimen under observation. Results showed the appearance of signal peaks for Cu, O and C element (Fig. 2d). The results achieved for SEM and EDX showed close similarity as reported [47, 48].

The efficiency of sensor to interact with DTC Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb pesticides was monitored on spectrophotometer in range 400–800 nm (Fig. 3). Shift in absorbance was noted with the color change from red to yellow and light brownish colloidal (depending upon the concentration of pesticides added) visible to naked eye. It is supposed that small distance between sulfur atoms of DTCs makes it vulnerable for the attraction of ligand with metal elements [49]. Second, DTC has ability to split its sulfide bond when it approaches to colloidal solution of NPs. Therefore, DTC ion is formed which assembled on the surface of the nanoparticles [50]. In addition, an electrostatic interaction is also found to be established between hydrophilic positive head of the CTAB to the negative sulfides of DTCs [51]. The FTIR of Ziram functionalized on CTAB-CuNPs showed its characteristic peak of N–H at 3200 cm−1.C–H stretching within 2918–2850 cm−1 and C=N/NH vibratory band at 1633 cm−1. Other bands were recorded at 1466–1337 cm−1 contributed by N+–CH3 of CTAB. C–S of DTC showed its band at 1040 cm−1 (Fig. 4a). SEM image of Ziram interacted CuNPs showed smooth surface with thinner tubule-like structures embedded over it (Fig. 4b). While EDX showed signals for Cu, S, C, O, and Zn. Presence of S, C and Zn is clear indication of interaction of DTCs and CuNPs (Fig. 4c).

Fig. 3
figure 3

Absorption spectrum of probe on interaction with different molar concentration of pesticides ziram, zineb and maneb

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Fig. 4
figure 4

a FTIR, b SEM image and c EDX spectrum of Ziram-interacted CTAB-CuNPs

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Similar FTIR peaks were also recorded for Zineb interacted with CTAB-CuNPs (Fig. 5a). SEM image showed granular topography (Fig. 5b) with the emergence of Cu, Zn, O, S, and C analyzed by EDX technique (Fig. 5c). While the FTIR of Maneb with CTAB-CuNPs indicated its N–H stretching peak at 3163 cm−1, C–H bands were seen at 2915–2848 cm−1, C=N/NH vibratory band at 1634 cm−1 and vibratory band of N+–CH3 of CTAB was observed at 1393 cm−1 and a prominent peak of C–S of DTC group was observed at 1065 cm−1 (Fig. 6a). SEM images showed rough-surfaced morphology of maneb pesticide sample (Fig. 6b).Elemental composition determined by EDX indicated presence of Cu, S, C, and O (Fig. 6c).

Fig. 5
figure 5

a FTIR, b SEM image and c EDX image of Zineb-interacted CTAB-CuNPs

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Fig. 6
figure 6

a FTIR, b SEM image and c EDX image of Maneb-interacted CTAB-CuNPs

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Through literature survey, it was found that metallic Cu is highly susceptible for complexation with DTCs [52]. In this regard, chloroform reagent was used to assess the chemical reaction of pesticides with CTAB-CuNPs. Copper (II) when treated with DEDTC reagent indicated precipitate formation, which was extractable in chloroform, whereas CTAB-CuNPs, when treated with DEDTC or DTC pesticides, yellow color developed, which did not extract in chloroform (Fig. 7). It is pretended that chelates are formed when copper chloride and pesticides are treated together. Charge of the copper salt is neutralized by developing neutral organic moiety which is therefore extracted in chloroform. In case of copper nanoparticles, no such metal chelation was seen but charged species were formed which organized on the nanoparticles surface via oppositely charged interaction.

Fig. 7
figure 7

Chloroform test using general reagent natrium diethyldithiocarbamate to observe the type of interaction, reaction conditions as in experimental

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Eventually colorimetric response of NPs is highly dependent on the pH of the solution. Therefore, CuNPs with and without diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTCs) or DTC pesticides were subjected to the buffers within pH range of 2–9 and recorded on spectrophotometer. The CuNPs showed no any convincing change in absorbance at pH 2–4 and 7 but it gradually started to increase at pH range of 6 and 8–9 with maximum change in plasmon at pH 8. Similarly, pH of DEDTC functionalized CuNPs was examined at 490 nm and observed no any appreciable change in plasmon resonance, but pH 8 was optimized for colorimetric determinations (Fig. 8).

Fig. 8
figure 8

pH study of copper nanoparticles (a) without and (b) without addition of DEDTC reagent

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Time effect was inspected up to 3 h with intervals of 15 mints at 490 nm to investigate the duration of interaction with maximum stability. Initially an increase in absorbance was found which remained almost similar thereafter. Spectrum indicated a suitable time of 45 min to determine pesticides quantitatively because at this duration % error measured was less than 5% (Fig. 9). The effects of pH and time were repeated atleast three times (n = 3).

Fig. 9
figure 9

Time study on stability of NPs with DEDTC

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The quantitative determination of pesticides was made using probe CTAB-CuNPs within the linear calibration range 97.8–978.6 ng/ml, 8.8–88.2 ng/ml and 8.4–84.8 ng/ml for Ziram, Zineb and Maneb, respectively, using seven calibrators (Fig. 10). Ziram contains a dithiocarbamate and Zineb and Maneb have bis-dithiocarbamate functionalities, thus Zineb and Maneb indicated better sensitivities than Ziram.

Fig. 10
figure 10

a Absorption spectra of zineb pesticides and b linear calibration curves of DTC pesticides at absorbance ratio of 490/570 nm

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The gradual increase in absorption intensity was observed with the increase in concentration of pesticides at 490 nm or at ratio of 490 A/570 A. The linearity observed for Ziram, Zineb and Maneb were with coefficient of determination (r2) 0.989, 0.995 and 0.992 (Table 1).

Table 1 Results obtained from quantitative determination of DTC Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb pesticides
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The limit of detection and quantitation was calculated from standard deviation of the slope of the linear regression curve (LOD = 3.3 Sa/b and LOQ = 10 Sa/b), where Sa = standard deviation and b = slope of calibration curve. The detection limit calculated for aforementioned pesticides were 150.9 ng/ml, 0.7 ng/ml, 6.1 ng/ml and quantitation limit calculated was 457.5 ng/ml, 2.1 ng/ml, 18.6 ng/ml for Ziram, Zineb and Maneb pesticides, respectively.

Selective sensing efficacy of probe was examined in presence of various ionic moieties such as Ca2+, K+, Al3+, Cl−, CO32− and NO3− at 5–100 ppm. Nevertheless, the study showed the interference of ionic species with relative error of ± 1.0–11.1% (Fig. 11). In addition selective assay for DTCs were also examined in presence of pesticides (nitenpyram, imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen). Their color change and surface plasmon (SPR) was investigated. As mentioned in (Fig. 12), their is no any shift in SPR at 570 nm in the spectrum of CTAB-CuNPs and color of the solutions also remained same (initially color change was seen but restored to same reddish wine after 10 min) in presence of aforementioned pesticides (10 ppm) without DTCs. Results showed no any cluster formation in presences of nitenpyram, imidacloprid and pyriproxyfen (10 ppm), which confirmed that they could not induce the aggregation of CTAB-CuNPs. But an apparent color change and spectra was observed with DTCs Ziram, Zineb and Maneb in presence of mixture of pesticides as mentioned in Fig. 2. The obtained results showed the interference of pesticides with relative error of ± 2.14–7.78% (Fig. 11). The developed method showed good selectivity towards DTCs over other pesticides. This showed that proposed probe acted as selective colorimetric sensor for DTCs over others.

Fig. 11
figure 11

Interference of different ionic moieties and pesticides on determination of DTCs

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Fig. 12
figure 12

Interaction of CTAB-CuNPs with different pesticides without DTCs

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The precision of probe to detect pesticides, samples were analyzed on the same day (n = 5) and with the day distances (n = 5). The % RSD calculated was within 1.2–7.6%.

The charge and size distribution was observed with nano-zetasizer Malvern instrument. The obtained data showed (Fig. 13a) surface of CTAB-CuNPs have a positive charge of about 32.5 mV. While that of Ziram, Zineb and Maneb have surface charge of 30.6 mV, 35.6 mV and 26.3 mV (Fig. 13b–d). For a noticeably stable nanoparticles suspension through electrostatic repulsion, a zetapotential of ± 30 mV is obligatory as minimum [53]. DLS is one of the most commonly used technique to determine the size of nanoparticles. It assesses the light dispersed from laser that passes through the colloidal solutions and then analyzed the modulated scattered light intensity as a function of time. Thus nanoparticle’s hydrodynamic size can be determined [54, 55]. The size distribution results (Fig. 14a) indicated the average size of 72.2 nm for CTAB-CuNPs with the polydispersive index of 0.233 at the measurement position of 5.50 mm. Whereas mean average size obtained for Ziram, Zineb and Maneb were 83.1 nm, 111.3 nm and 125.2 nm with the polydispersive index < 1 (Fig. 14b–d).

Fig. 13
figure 13

Zeta potential measurement of (a) CTAB-CuNPs without adding DTCs and CTAB-CuNPs with addition of (b) Ziram (c) Zineb and (d) Maneb DTc pesticides

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Fig. 14
figure 14

Size distribution measurements of a CTAB-CuNPs and CTAB-CuNPs with b Ziram, c Zineb, d Maneb pesticides

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The practical application of probe was evaluated for determination of DTC pesticides in environmental samples (tap water) and juice sample (tomato vegetable and commercial mango drink) using analytical procedure. The results showed the recovery for Ziram was 95.8–108.5% with RSD (n = 3) of 0.16–1.11% and % error not over then ± 0.29–8.56, for Zineb recovery obtained was 100.7–106.2%, RSD (n = 3) was 0.14–0.63% and % error calculated was ± 0.69–6.25. Finally results obtained for Maneb pesticides revealed recovery within 96.2–108.5 with % RSD (n = 3) within 0.15–0.77 and relative error was 0.90–8.56% (Table 2).

Table 2 Analysis of DTCs from real samples
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The established colorimetric procedure was compared with flow injection flame, atomic absorption, capillary electrophoretic, voltammetry methods and AuNPs assisted colorimetric published methods in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. The results indicated comparable or better performance in terms of LOD and range of linearity than reported procedures (Table 3).

Table 3 Comparison of present work with published work
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Conclusion

The preparation of stable CuNPs was achieved without any inert atmosphere using hydrazine monohydrate and CTAB. This simple, rapid and cheaper probe was highly sensitive to the dithiocarbamate pesticides with LOD 0.7–150.9 ng/ml and % recoveries calculated for environmental samples were in between 95.8 and 108.5% without the use of any sophisticated instruments. CuNPs have been examined for the analysis of Ziram, Zineb and Maneb, but the method could be extended similarly for the determination of DTCs like Mancozeb, Nabam, Metiram, Propineb and Ferbam.

Taking into consideration the gold and silver nanoparticles, the copper nanoparticles are thought to be most cost effective for the routine analysis of dithiocarbamate pesticides.