Three-dimensional printed knotted reactors enabling highly sensitive differentiation of silver nanoparticles and ions in aqueous environmental samples

Whether silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) persist or release silver ions (Ag⁺) when discharged into a natural environment has remained an unresolved issue. In this study, we employed a low-cost stereolithographic three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology to fabricate the angle-defined knotted reactors (KRs) to construct a simple differentiation scheme for quantitative assessment of Ag⁺ ions and AgNPs in municipal wastewater samples. We chose xanthan/phosphate-buffered saline as a dispersion medium for in situ stabilization of the two silver species, while also facilitating their extraction from complicated wastewater matrices. After method optimization, we measured extraction efficiencies of 54.5 and 32.3% for retaining Ag⁺ ions and AgNPs, respectively, in the printed KR (768-turn), with detection limits (DLs) of 0.86 and 0.52 ng L⁻¹ when determining Ag⁺ ions and AgNPs, respectively (sample run at pH 11 without a rinse solution), and 0.86 ng L⁻¹ when determining Ag⁺ ions alone (sample run at pH 12 with a 1.5-mL rinse solution). The proposed scheme is tolerant of the wastewater matrix and provides more reliable differentiation between Ag⁺/AgNPs than does a conventional filtration method. The concept and applicability of adopting 3DP technology to renew traditional KR devices were evidently proven by means of these significantly improved analytical performance. Our analytical data suggested that the concentrations of Ag⁺ ions and AgNPs in the tested industrial wastewater sample were both higher than those in domestic wastewater, implying that industrial activity might be a main source of environmental silver species, rather than domestic discharge from AgNP-containing products.     

Preconcentration of trace amounts of silver ion in aqueous samples on octadecyl silica membrane disks modified with hexathia-18-crown-6 and its determination by atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple and reliable method has been developed to selectively separate and concentrate trace amounts of silver ion from aqueous samples for the subsequent measurement by atomic absorption spectrometry. Ag+ ions are absorbed quantitatively during passage of aqueous samples through an octadecyl-bonded silica membrane disk modified by hexathia-18-crown-6. Almost all matrix elements will pass through the disk to drain. The retained Ag+ ions are then stripped from the disk with a minimal amount of thiosulfate solution as eluent. The proposed method permitted large enrichment factors of about 200 and higher. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 50 ng Ag+ per 1,000 mL. The effects of various cationic interferences on the recovery of silver in binary mixtures were studied. The method was applied to the recovery of Ag+ ions from different synthetic and water samples.     

Mechanism of silver nucleation upon the radiation-induced reduction of its ions in polyphosphate-containing aqueous solutions

Long-lived (hours to days) silver clusters, Ag ₄ ²⁺ , Ag ₄ ⁺ , Ag ₈ ²⁺ , etc., are formed upon the radiation-induced reduction of Ag⁺ ions in aqueous solutions containing sodium polyphosphate. The efficiency of the cluster formation decreases and the stability of the clusters increase with a rise in the concentration of the polymeric stabilizer. In the course of the aggregation of clusters, their sizes increase, quasi-metallic particles emerge, and the process terminates with the formation of silver nanoparticles. The mechanism of silver nucleation upon the radiation-induced reduction of silver ions in aqueous solutions is discussed.     

Detection and Determination of Released Ions in the Presence of Nanoparticles: Selectivity or Strategy?

Metallic nanoparticles can release ionic species, but also both species can occur in the same samples. Therefore, there is a need of efficient and cost‐effective methods to determine these ionic species in the presence of the corresponding nanoparticles. Electroanalytical techniques open the door to this selective detection of NPs and their ions. In this work, a methodology that allows the direct determination of ionic silver (Ag⁺) in the presence of silver nanoparticles based on anodic stripping voltammetry was implemented. Silver nanoparticles were determined, after acidic digestion of the sample, by difference with respect to the total content of silver. The method was validated in terms of specific identification of silver ions, linearity, working range, limit of detection, limit of quantification, recovery, repeatability and ruggedness. All parameters are adequate for an analytical method following Eurachem recommendations. The validated method was used to determine the concentration of Ag⁺ and total silver in two commercial products of colloidal silver. The results were compared with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry in combination with an ultrafiltration step for isolation of ionic silver. There were no significant differences in the results. The proposed methodology benefits from the intrinsic selectivity of the electroanalysis methods, allowing to eliminate the steps of pretreatments of the samples, which are necessary in other techniques. The novelty of the article lies in the direct determination of Ag (I) ions in the presence of AgNPs, without the use of previous separation steps.     

Label-free sensing of pH and silver nanoparticles using an “OR” logic gate

Many natural phenomena are associated with the presence of two or more separate variables. We report here an “OR” DNA logic gate based on a luminescent platinum(II) switch-on probe for silver nanoparticles and pH, both of which may be considered putative indicators of pollution. The modulation of metal complex/double-stranded DNA complex phosphorescence by Ag⁺ and H⁺ was used to construct a simple, rapid and label-free method for the label-free detection of pH and nanomolar Ag⁺ ions and nanoparticles in aqueous solutions with high selectivity.     

Structurally Precise Silver Sulfide Nanoclusters Protected by Rhodium(III) Octahedra with Aminothiolates

A 60‐nuclear silver sulfide nanocluster with a highly positive charge ( 1 ) has been synthesized by mixing an octahedral Rh^III complex with 2‐aminoethanethiolate ligands, silver(I) nitrate, and d ‐penicillamine in water under mild conditions. The spherical surface of 1 is protected by the chiral octahedral Rh^III complex, with cleavage of the C?S bond of the d ‐penicillamine supplying the sulfide ions. Although 1 does not contain d ‐penicillamine, it is optically active because of the enantiomeric excess of the Rh^III molecules induced by chiral transfer from d ‐penicillamine. 1 can accommodate/release external Ag⁺ ions and replace inner Ag⁺ ions by Cu⁺ ions. The study demonstrates that a thiolato metal complex and sulfur‐containing amino acid can be used as cluster‐surface‐protecting and sulfide‐supplying regents, respectively, for creating chiral, water‐soluble, structurally precise silver sulfide nanoclusters, the properties of which are tunable through the addition/removal/exchange of Ag⁺ ions.     

Effect of ligand on the redox reactions of thallium metal clusters

Pulse radiolysis of an aqueous solution of mono-valent thallium ion and mixed solutions of Tl⁺/Ag⁺ in the presence of various amino polycarboxylic acids such as trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (DCTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) and triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid (TTHA) has been carried out. Abnormal valence states of Tl ions were generated. It is concluded that DCTA, DTPA, HEDTA and TTHA decrease the redox potential of Tl ions in aqueous solutions. It was observed that the electron transfer from complexed Tl₂⁺ to Ag⁺ varied in the range 7.5 × 10⁸ to 1.0 × 10⁹, depending on the type of complexing ligand. Electron transfer from Tl₂⁺ to Ag⁺ lead to the formation of silver atoms, which agglomerate further to form silver colloid.     

A Cryptate Reference Electrode for Ionic Liquids

The cryptate electrode (Ag/Ag⁺222), prepared by immersing silver wire in a solution of silver(I) salt and the cryptand 222 (4,7,13,16,21,24‐hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane) in ionic liquids have been studied. The potential of the electrode is stabilized by the equilibrium of the Ag⁺ ion complexation by the cryptand, similarly to the potential stabilization by the ionic product of slightly soluble salts, used in aqueous electrodes of the second kind. The Ag/Ag⁺222 cryptate electrode (concentration of the cryptate was much higher than the silver(I) cation concentration, [222]>[Ag⁺]) may be used as a reference electrode in room temperature ionic liquids. The potential of the Ag/Ag⁺222 electrode is less sensitive to the presence of impurities, such as halides or water, in comparison to the Ag/Ag⁺ electrode. After anodic or cathodic polarization, the potential of the Ag/Ag⁺222 electrode comes back to the initial open circuit potential quickly. Preparation of the Ag/Ag⁺222 reference electrode is very easy: a silver wire is immersed in a solution of Ag⁺ salt and cryptand 222 (both available commercially) in the ionic liquid under study.     

Displacement-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction coupled with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the selective determination of trace silver in environmental and geological samples

A novel displacement-dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction method was developed for the selective determination of trace silver in complicated samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. This method involves two steps of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME). Firstly, copper ion reacted with diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC) to form Cu-DDTC complex and extracted with DLLME procedure using carbon tetrachloride (extraction solvent) and methanol (dispersive solvent); then, the sedimented phase was dispersed into the sample solution containing silver ion with methanol and another DLLME procedure was carried out. Because the stability of Ag-DDTC is larger than that of Cu-DDTC, Ag⁺ can displace Cu²⁺ from the pre-extracted Cu-DDTC and thus the preconcentration of Ag⁺ was achieved. Potential interference from co-existing transition metal ions with lower DDTC complex stability was largely eliminated as they cannot displace Cu²⁺ from Cu-DDTC complex. The tolerance limits for the co-existing ions were increased by a long way compared with conventional DLLME. Under the optimal conditions, the limit of detection was 20 ng L⁻¹ (3σ) for silver with a sample volume of 5.0 mL, and an enhancement factor of 72 was achieved. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine of trace silver in some environmental and geological samples with satisfactory results.     

Thiol-functionalized silica–mixed matrix membranes for silver capture from aqueous solutions: Experimental results and modeling

The study deals with an aqueous phase application of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for silver ion (Ag⁺) capture. Silica particles were functionalized with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxy silane (MPTMS) to introduce free thiol (–SH) groups on the surface. The particles were used as the dispersed phase in the polysulfone or cellulose acetate polymer matrix. The membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method to create more open and interconnected porous structures suitable for liquid phase applications. The effects of the silica properties such as particle size, specific surface area, and porous/nonporous morphology on the silver ion capture capacity were studied. It was demonstrated that the membranes are capable of selectively capturing silver from a solution containing significant concentrations of other metal ions like Ca²⁺. The membranes were studied to quantify the dynamic capacity for silver ion capture and its dependence on residence time through the adjustment of transmembrane pressure. The thiol–Ag⁺ interaction was quantified with quartz crystal microbalance in a continuous flow mode experiment and the observations were compared with the membrane results. One-dimensional unsteady state model with overall volumetric mass transfer coefficient was developed and solved to predict the silver concentration in the liquid phase and the solid silica phase along the membrane thickness at varying time. The breakthrough data predicted using the model is comparable with the experimental observations. The study demonstrates successful application of the functionalized silica–mixed matrix membranes for selective aqueous phase Ag⁺ capture with high capacity at low transmembrane pressures. The technique can be easily extended to other applications by altering the functionalized groups on the silica particles.     

Cellulose and chitin nanomaterials for capturing silver ions (Ag+) from water via surface adsorption

The study explores the potential of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), cellulose nanofibers (CNF) and chitin nanocrystals (ChNC) isolated from bioresidues to remove silver ions from contaminated water. Zeta sizer studies showed negatively charged surfaces for CNC and CNF isolated from cellulose sludge in the acidic and alkaline pHs, whereas ChNC isolated from crab shell residue showed either positive or negative charges depending on pH conditions. Model water containing silver ions showed a decrease in Ag⁺ ion concentration (measured by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer; inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry), after treatment with CNC, CNF and ChNC suspensions. The highest Ag⁺ ion removal was measured near neutral pH for CNC, being 34.4 mg/g, corresponding to 64 % removal. ChNC showed 37 % and CNF showed 27 % removal of silver ions. The WDX (wavelength dispersive X-ray analysis) and XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) analysis confirmed the presence of silver ions on the surface of the nanocellulose and nanochitin after adsorption. Surface adsorption on the nanoparticles via electrostatic interactions is considered to be the prominent mechanism of heavy metal ion capture from aqueous medium, with CNC with negative surface charge and negatively charged functional groups being most favourable for the adsorption of positively charged Ag⁺ ions compared to other native bionanomaterials.     

Selective Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles onto Potassium Hexaniobate: Structural Organisation with Bactericidal Properties

Silver‐based nanocomposites are known to act as biocides against a series of microorganisms and are largely studied as an alternative to substitute conventional antibiotics that show decreasing efficacy. In this work, an eco‐friendly method to synthesize silver nanoparticles assembled on the surface of hexaniobate crystals is reported. By means of ion exchange, K⁺ ions of layered potassium hexaniobate were partially substituted by Ag⁺ ions and the resulting material was exposed to UV light. The irradiation allowed the reduction of silver ions with consequent formation of silver nanoparticles located only on the hexaniobate surface, whereas Ag⁺ ions located in the interlayer space remained in the ionic form. Increasing UV‐light exposure times allowed controlling of the silver nanoparticle size. The antibacterial effects of the pristine potassium hexaniobate and of silver‐containing hexaniobate samples were tested against Escherichia coli (E. coli). The antibacterial efficacy was determined to be related to the presence of silver in hexaniobate. An increasing activity against E. coli was observed with the decrease in silver nanoparticles size, suggesting that silver nanoparticles of distinct sizes interact differently with bacterial cell walls.     

Target-triggered inhibiting oxidase-mimicking activity of platinum nanoparticles for ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of silver ion

The development of efficient methods for the detection of hazardous and toxic elements is extremely important for environmental security and public health. In this work, we developed a facile colorimetric assaying system for Ag⁺ detection in aqueous solution. Chitosan-stabilized platinum nanoparticles (Ch-PtNPs) were synthesized and severed as an artificial oxidase to catalyze the oxidation of the substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and generate color signal. In the presence of Ag⁺, due to the strong metallophilic interactions between Ag⁺ and Pt²⁺ on the surface of Ch-PtNPs, Ag⁺ can weaken the affinity to the substrates and inactivate the catalytic activity of Ch-PtNPs, leading to decreased absorbance signal to varying degrees depending on Ag⁺ amount. Combing the specific binding between Ch-PtNPs and Ag⁺ with signal amplification procedure based on the Ch-PtNPs-catalyzed TMB oxidation, a sensitive, selective, simple, cost-effective, and rapid detection method for Ag⁺ can be realized. Ag⁺ ions in tap and lake waters have been successfully detected. We ensured that the proposed method can be a potential alternative for Ag⁺ determination in environmental samples.     

Synthesis of silver nanoclusters in starch aqueous solutions

The capability of aqueous starch solution for reduction of Ag⁺ ions and stabilization of metallic silver nanoparticles was examined. Kinetic parameters of formation of Ag nanoparticles were determined.     

Colloidal copper and peculiarities of its reaction with silver ions in aqueous solution

Interactions between colloidal copper and silver ions lead to the formation of silver nanoparticles. The reaction proceeds through the intermediate stage of the formation of a copper-silver contact pair. The formation of bimetallic Ag_coreCu_shell nanoparticles is observed in the presence of the “seeding” silver nanoparticles and upon the simultaneous radiochemical reduction of Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions.     

Paper test strip for silver ions detection in drinking water samples based on combined fluorometric and colorimetric methods

In this study, a portable silver ion (Ag⁺) sensor was fabricated based on a dual signal output system using black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) as probes. It is the first work for Ag⁺ detection using paper test strip based on BPQDs. The color change of BPQDs paper sensor for the determination of Ag⁺ was easily identified by naked eye. BPQDs were synthesized from bulk black phosphorus (BP) by mechanical exfoliation combined with a solvothermal method. BPQDs exhibited blue fluorescence with a quantum yield of 8.82 %. The fluorescence of BPQDs can be quenched by Ag⁺, and the absorbance of BPQDs is increased with increasing Ag⁺ concentration. The mechanism of the interaction between BPQDs and Ag⁺ involving fluorescence quenching and bonding was investigated by experimental and computational methods. The detection limit of Ag⁺ was 1.56 μg/mL and 0.19 μg/mL using fluorometry and colorimetry methods, respectively. A portable visual sensor based on paper test strip was constructed for Ag⁺ detection using the colorimetric approach. The strategy was employed to determine Ag⁺ successfully in drinking water samples. Therefore, the proposed portable Ag⁺ sensor can be potentially utilized for the lab-free analysis of drinking water and even dietary samples.     

Preparation of antimicrobial poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofibers containing silver nanoparticles

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles were prepared by electrospinning PVA/silver nitrate (AgNO₃) aqueous solutions, followed by short heat treatment, and their antimicrobial activity was investigated for wound dressing applications. Since PVA is a water soluble and biocompatible polymer, it is one of the best materials for the preparation of wound dressing nanofibers. After heat treatment at 155 °C for 3 min, the PVA/AgNO₃ nanofibers became insoluble, while the Ag⁺ ions therein were reduced so as to produce a large number of Ag nanoparticles situated preferentially on their surface. The residual Ag⁺ ions were reduced by subsequent UV irradiation for 3 h. The average diameter of the Ag nanoparticles after the heat treatment was 5.9 nm and this value increased slightly to 6.3 nm after UV irradiation. It was found that most of the Ag⁺ ions were reduced by the simple heat treatment. The PVA nanofibers containing Ag nanoparticles showed very strong antimicrobial activity. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 2468–2474, 2006     

Study of ecotoxicity of silver nanoparticles using algae

Silver nanoparticles have been prepared and tested for their ecotoxicity using Chlorella vulgaris Beijer. algae as a hydrobiotic test organism and a photometric method of control. The toxicity was supposed to originate from Ag⁺ ions released into the aqueous solution. Also, the toxicity of the stabilizing agent was found to be comparable to that of silver nanoparticles.     

Anodic Stripping Voltammetric Determination of Lead（Ⅱ） Using Glassy Carbon Electrode Modified with Novel Calix[4] arene

A new glassy carbon electrode modified with novel calix[4]‐arene derivative was prepared and then applied to the selective recognition of lead ion in aqueous media by cyclic and square wave voltammetry. A new anodic stripping peak at ? 0.92 V (vs. Ag/Ag⁺) in square wave voltammogram can be obtained by scanning the potential from ? 1.5 to ? 0.6 V, of which the peak current is proportional to the concentration of Pb²⁺. The modified electrode in 0.1 mol/L HNO₃ solution showed a linear voltammetric response in the range of 2.0 × 10–⁸–1.0 × 10–⁶ mol/L and a detection limit of 6.1 × 10–⁹ mol/L. In the modified glassy carbon electrode no significant interference occurred from alkali, alkaline and transition metal ions except Hg²⁺, Ag⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions, which can be eliminated by the addition of KSCN. The proposed method was successfully applied to determine lead in aqueous samples.     

Selective Determination of Dimethyl Sulfide in Seawater Using Reactive Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Reactive extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used for the rapid, sensitive determination of dimethyl sulfide in seawater without sample pretreatment. Using silver cations (Ag⁺) as the ionic reagent, the analyte was selectively extracted from seawater to form adduct ions of [CH₃SCH₃?+?Ag]⁺. The characteristic product ions of Ag⁺, generated from parent ions of [CH₃SCH₃?+?Ag]⁺ by tandem mass spectrometry, were used for quantitative analysis. A linear calibration curve was obtained from 1 to 10,000 pg/mL with acceptable relative standard deviations of 3.2–8.1%. This method provided a low limit of detection (0.3 pg/mL), reasonable recovery (82–111%), and acceptable precision (3.9 and 4.2% for intraday and interday measurements). Trace dimethyl sulfide was determined in seawater by this method. These results demonstrate that reactive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry is suitable for the rapid, reliable, and sensitive determination of dimethyl sulfide in seawater. Further investigations will improve our understanding on the relationship between global climate change and dimethyl sulfide concentrations in the ocean.