Коллоидный журнал

Mercury (II) is a highly toxic substance that causes nerve and kidney damage or even death. This study reports the development of a simple and economical method for the detection of mercury (II) by using a PVP−AgNPs-based colorimetric sensor. Chemical reduction method was used to prepare polyvinylpyrrolidone-functionalized silver nanoparticles (PVP−AgNPs). The yellow PVP−AgNPs became colorless in response to the addition of mercury (II) and showed a blue-shift in UV−Vis absorption spectra. The visible detection limit was found to be 10 μM. For the current detection, the limit of detection was calculated to be 1.12 μM in the 10−90 μM linear detection range. PVP−AgNPs embedded in agarose gel provided a stable and porous sensing matrix for the selective detection of mercury (II), where interaction of AgNPs with mercury (II) induced a distinct color change, enabling simple visual monitoring. The sensor could operate well in the temperature range of 15 to 55°C, pH range of 3 to 9 and salinity range of 0.1 to 1%. This study concluded that PVP−AgNPs can be useful in developing colorimetric assays for the detection of mercury (II).