Colorimetric and plasmonic detection of Hg2+in water by biogenic Ag nanoparticles synthesized with Opuntia joconostle

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have been synthesized, for the first time, using the pulp of Opuntia joconostle fruit as reducing reagent of Ag+ ions. The reported method is wholly green, since no temperature or infusion preparation were required. AgNPs with a 428 nm plasmon absorbance, a quasi-spherical morphology, a mean size of 17.7 nm, and an FCC crystal structure were obtained. These biogenic AgNPs, without further chemical functionalization, could sense easily (naked eye) and selectively the presence of Hg2+ ions in aqueous solution and in tap water.

Automated summary

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized using Opuntia joconostle fruit pulp as a reducing reagent. This green method required no temperature or infusion preparation. The resulting biogenic AgNPs had a plasmon absorbance at 428 nm, quasi-spherical morphology, a mean size of 17.7 nm, and an FCC crystal structure. These unmodified biogenic AgNPs could easily (naked eye) and selectively detect the presence of Hg2+ ions in aqueous solution and tap water.