Molecules (Sep 2023)

Development of a Colorimetric Paper Sensor for Hg<sup>2+</sup> Detection in Water Using Cyanuric Acid-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles

  • Febrina Amelia Saputri,
  • Eka Ulya Zubaidah,
  • Amaranggani Wikan Puspita Kenanga,
  • Catur Jatmika,
  • Rimadani Pratiwi,
  • Vinayak A. Dhumale

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186527
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 28, no. 18
p. 6527

Abstract

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Hg2+ is one of the most dangerous pollutants that can cause damage to organs and the immune system. The common detection methods of Hg2+ require sophisticated instrumentation and a long time for analysis. The purpose of this study was to develop a sensor for the detection of Hg2+ using filter paper immobilized by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) conjugated with cyanuric acid (CA). The clear color change from pink to bluish purple is the response of the CA-AuNPs filter paper sensor to exposure to Hg2+. Detection can be observed visually with the naked eye and/or with imageJ software; the detection limit is 0.05 µM. The colorimetric response of the sensor was also selective towards Hg2+ after testing with different metal ions. In addition, the response from the sensor was also consistent for lake water samples spiked with Hg2+. The results of this research provide a promising basic technology for the development of sensors that are affordable, fast, portable, and easy to use for the detection and monitoring of Hg2+ levels in water.

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