Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles as an Approach to the Direct Colorimetric Detection of DCNP Nerve Agent Simulant

New functionalized gold nanoparticles have been synthesized and their ability to act as colorimetric molecular probes for the naked-eye detection of nerve agent simulant DCNP has been studied. The detection process is based on the compensation of charges at the surfaces of the functionalized AuNPs, which triggers their aggregation with the resulting change in the color of the solution.