Abstract

Two colorimetric sensors of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified with different oligo(ethylene glycol)-containing organic molecules have been developed to detect metal ions by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) extinction spectroscopy. These sensors display different responses to some metal ions. One exhibits high selectivity for Hg2+ over a variety of competitive metal ions and the other one can respond to a multitude of metal ions. These differences might result from the different functionalized end groups of the modified molecules. Coordination effect, pH response, and ionic strength were investigated to understand the mechanism of the responses to metal ions. The results suggested that the colorimetric responses were mainly induced by the coordination effect of the modified organic molecules and the removing of the modified organic molecules caused by metal ions.

Authors

Li G, Yang B, Lu Z, Xia S, Feng H, Zhu X, Wang A, Zhu J

Institution

Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry, Nanjing National Laboratory of Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.

Source

Journal of nanoscience and nanotechnology 11:11 2011 Nov pg 9469-77

MeSH

Colorimetry
Ethylene Glycols
Gold
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Metal Nanoparticles
Metals, Heavy
Osmolar Concentration
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22413231