Selective and Ultrasensitive Spectroscopic Detection of Mercuric Ion in Aqueous Systems Using Embonic Acid Functionalized Silver Nanoparticle

Metal poisoning in humans can cause health hazards such as insomnia, mental retardation, nervous disorders and blindness. Most of the commonly used toxic metals are mercury, lead and cadmium. Among these toxic metals, mercury (Hg) has been declared to be highly toxic by the World Health Organization and Environmental Protection Agency. In this regard, the determination of Hg2+ in trace quantities plays an important role in the environment. This study investigates the preparation of embonic acid (EA) functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNP) through eco-friendly approach for detection of mercuric ion in an aqueous environment. UV-Visible spectra analysis confirmed the stability of EA capped AgNP (EA-AgNP) over a period of 6 months. Stability and destabilization of silver nanoparticles in absence and presence of Hg2+ were confirmed by the zeta potential analysis with the value of - 28.5 mV and - 15 mV and High Resolution-Transmission Electronic Microscopy with increasing size of 15 nm to 130 nm respectively. The lower detection limit was found to be 0.5 nM and 50 fM Hg2+ using EA-AgNP by spectrophotometric and spectrofluorometric respectively and also highly selective to mercuric ion in the presence of a host of commonly interfering cations in aqueous system.

Automated summary

Metal poisoning can lead to various health hazards, such as insomnia, mental retardation, nervous disorders, and blindness. This study focuses on the detection of mercuric ion in an aqueous environment using eco-friendly embonic acid functionalized silver nanoparticles. The stability and selectivity of the nanoparticles were confirmed, and they showed potential for detecting trace amounts of Hg2+.