Sensing Applications of Triazole Conjugated Silver Nanoparticles

•Triazole based supramolecule was synthesized and characterized using different technique•Silver nanoparticles of Triazole based supramolecule for sensing of heavy metal•Silver nanoparticles of Triazole based supramolecule are highly selective for Pd2+ This study involves synthesis and physicochemical evaluation of triazole conjugated silver nanoparticles (TBS-AgNPs). The triazole derivative (TBS) was synthesized via click reaction followed by its conjugation with silver nanoparticles through the chemical reduction method. The TBS-AgNPs were characterized by various spectroscopic techniques, for instance, UV-Visible, atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR),and dynamic light scattering (DLS). TBS-AgNPs showed maximum absorption at 400 nm with an average particle size of 60-80 nm. Sensitivity and selectivity of TBS-AgNPs towards metal ions were evaluated using UV-Visible spectroscopy and the addition of Pd2+ produced a significant decrease in absorption intensity of TBS-AgNPs. Whereas, all other tested metal ions such as Sn2+, Ni2+, Ca2+, Bi3+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Na+, Co2+, Mn2+, and Ba2+ did not alter the optical properties of TBS-AgNPs for Pd2+. TBS-AgNPs nanoparticles are highly selective for Pd2+ as no interference was observed in competitive experiments. Job's plot indicated a 1:1 binding ratio between Pd2+ and TBS-AgNPs. Furthermore, TBS-AgNPs were effectively used for the detection of Pd2+ ion in laboratory tap water.