1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273165, China 2. Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China 3. Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Environmental Processes, Yantai, 264003, China 4. University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
Abstract:
We have developed a method for the colorimetric determination of copper ions (Cu2+) that is based on the use of silver-coated gold nanorods (Au@Ag NRs). Its outstanding selectivity and sensitivity result from the catalytic leaching process that occurs between Cu2+, thiosulfate (S2O32?), and the surface of the Au@Ag NRs. The intrinsic color of the Au@Ag NRs changes from bright red to bluish green with decreasing thickness of the silver coating. The addition of Cu2+ accelerates the leaching of silver from the shell caused in the presence of S2O32?. This result in a decrease in the thickness of the silver shell which is accompanied a change in color and absorption spectra of the colloidal solution. The shifts in the absorption maxima are linearly related to the concentrations of Cu2+ over the 3–1,000 nM concentration range (R?=?0.996). The method is cost effective and was applied to the determination of Cu2+ in real water samples.
Figure
A facile and sensitive colorimetric strategy for the sensing of Cu2+ based on catalytic leaching of silver coated gold nanorods, Au@Ag NRs