Ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of Hg2+in aqueous media via green synthesis byZiziphus mauritianaLeaf extract-based silver nanoparticles

This study is based on green, efficient and simple synthesis of silver nanoparticles fromZiziphus mauritiana(Zm) leaves extract as capping and reducing agent. Initially synthesised silver nanoparticles were characterised by using UV-Visible spectrophotometer and FT-IR to examine the functional change that occurs before and after synthesis. Furthermore atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to investigate the average size ofZm-AgNPs7-22 nm, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the shape of synthesisedZm-AgNPs. Shape and size of nanoparticles were also confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). TheZm-AgNPs has been successfully applied for colorimetric detection of mercury from aqueous media with concentration range of 3-23 nM based on decrease and shift in LSPR band intensity and method shows good regression co-efficient R-2 = 0.987 with low limit of detection (LOD) 0.04 nM and limit of quantification, 1.5 nM. The developed colorimetric sensor exhibits outstanding properties for Hg(2+)detection and worked as highly stable and selective, greener with cheaper and easy way of detection. On the other hand, the method was successfully applied in various type of real water sample.

Automated summary

The study focuses on the green, efficient, and simple synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Ziziphus mauritiana leaves extract as a capping and reducing agent. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques and were successfully applied for colorimetric detection of mercury in aqueous media. The developed method shows high sensitivity, low detection limit, and good environmental adaptability.