Plasmon enhanced photoelectrochemical sensing of mercury (II) ions in human serum based on Au@Ag nanorods modified TiO2 nanosheets film

Taking advantages of the monodisperse TiO2 nanosheets (NSs) with high active crystal face exposure and the tunable localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties of Au@Ag nanorods (NRs), this study demonstrated that TiO2 NSs film with trace amount of Au@Ag NRs modification possess a strong enhancement of photocurrent response, which was remarkably inhibited with the addition of mercury (II) ions (Hg2+). Based on the selective decrease of photocurrent with the addition of Hg2+, a simple photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensor has been assembled. The PEC sensor exhibits wide linear range (0.01-10 nM), low detection limit (2.5 pM), satisfying selectivity, reproducibility and acceptable stability for Hg2+ detection. The feasibility of this method for practical application in human serum has been evaluated and the result was satisfactory. This PEC sensing method would provide a potential application for Hg2+ detection in clinical diagnosis. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.