Sensitive quantification of mercury ions in real water systems based on an aggregation-collision electrochemical detection

Nanoparticle impact electrochemistry (NIE) is an emerging electroanalytical technique that has been utilized to the sensitive detection of a wide range of biological species. So far, the NIE based trace ion detection is largely unexplored due to the lack of effective signal amplification strategies. We herein develop an NIE-based elec-trochemical sensing platform that utilizes T-Hg2+-T coordination induced AgNP aggregation to detect Hg2+ in aqueous solution. The proposed aggregation-collision strategy enables highly sensitive and selective detection. A dual-mode analysis based on the change in impact frequency and oxidative charge of the anodic oxidation of the AgNPs in NIE allows for more accurate self-validated quantification. Furthermore, the current NIE-based sensor demonstrates reliable analysis of Hg2+ of real water samples, showing great potential for practical environmental monitoring and point-of-care testing (POCT) applications.

Automated summary

Nanoparticle impact electrochemistry (NIE) is a promising technique for sensitive detection of various biological species. Researchers have developed an NIE-based sensor using T-Hg2+-T coordination induced AgNP aggregation to detect Hg2+ in water. The proposed aggregation-collision strategy enables highly sensitive and selective detection, and a dual-mode analysis enhances accuracy in quantification. The NIE-based sensor shows reliable analysis of Hg2+ in real water samples, making it a potential tool for environmental monitoring and point-of-care testing applications.