Fluorescent sensing of mercury(II) based on formation of catalytic gold nanoparticles

A fluorescence assay for the highly sensitive and selective detection of Hg2+ using a gold nanoparticle (AuNP)-based probewas proposed. The assay was based on the formation of Hg-Au alloys, which accelerated the oxidization of o-phenylenediamine by dissolved oxygen to produce 2,3-diaminophenazine, a fluorescent product.