Detection of heavy metals (Cu+2, Hg+2) by biosynthesized silver nanoparticles

Here, we are reporting two methods for detection of Cu+2 ion and Hg+2 ions using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles. The detection of Cu+2 ion was based on changes in absorbance resulting from complex formation of the metal ion. Various concentrations of Cu+2 ion were used to test the linearity and sensitivity of the method. A new peak at around 770 nm, in addition to the peak of the AgNP at 406 nm, was observed in each case (above 20 mu M). With the increase of concentration of Cu+2 ion solution, the absorbance at 406 nm peak decreased and that of 770 nm increased gradually. The calibration curve obtained from the ratio of the absorption coefficients of these two peaks (Ex770/406) versus concentration of Cu+2 ions enables one to estimate quantitatively the amount of Cu+2 ions present in water in mu M levels. This AgNP was further functionalized with 3-mercapto-1, 2-propanediol (MPD) for detection of Hg+2 present in water by colorimetric method. As soon as Hg+2 solution was added in MPD-functionalized AgNP (MPD-AgNP), a new peak at around 606 nm appeared along with the peak at 404 nm. The new peak might be due to the aggregations occurred by the recognition of heavy metal ion Hg+2 by MPD-AgNP through dipropionate ion. A calibration curve between the ratios of the absorption coefficients of these two peaks (Ex(404/606)) and concentration of Hg+2 was drawn for quantitative estimation of Hg+2 present in water at mu M level.