Anion-driven selective colorimetric detection of Hg super(2+) and Fe super(3+) using functionalized silver nanoparticles

A novel nanosensing system was developed by the surface functionalization of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with beta -alanine dithiocarbamate (ADTC) for the selective recognition and monitoring of Hg super(2+) and Fe super(3+) ions in aqueous medium. This system showed a visually detectable colour change from yellow to colourless and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) band of AgNPs at 402 nm disappeared with the addition of both Hg super(2+) and Fe super(3+) ions due to the aggregation of nanoparticles. Interestingly, the functionalized AgNPs can be applied for the discrimination and selective detection of Hg super(2+) and Fe super(3+) in the presence of Br super(-) and Cl super(-), respectively.