Visual detection of Hg2+ based on Hg(2+)-xanthine complex preventing aggregation of gold nanoparticles.

Xanthine, which can specifically bind with mercury ion (Hg2+) to form xanthine-Hg(2+)-xanthine complex, was used as Hg2+ binding molecule in this paper. In the absence of Hg2+, imide group of xanthine easily adsorbs onto the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and induces aggregation of AuNPs, resulting in a blue color. In the presence of Hg2+, however, the selective binding of xanthine with Hg2+ prevents the AuNPs against xanthine induced aggregation, resulting in a visible color change from blue to red depend on the concentration of Hg2+.

Sensitive and selective detection of mercury (II) based on the aggregation of gold nanoparticles stabilized by riboflavin.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be stabilized by riboflavin against tris buffer-induced aggregation. However, in the presence of mercury (II) (Hg2+), riboflavin can be released from the AuNPs surface and the riboflavin-Hg2+ complex formed, leading to the aggregation of AuNPs in tris buffer. The aggregation extent depends on the concentration of Hg2+.

Highly Selective Hg (II) Ion Detection Based on Linear Blue-Shift of the Maximum Absorption Wavelength of Silver Nanoparticles.

A new method of detecting Hg (II) ion with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is developed in this contribution. When Hg (II) ions were added into AgNPs solution, the solution displayed rapid color change and blue shift of the maximum absorption wavelength (Δλ), which was in proportion to the Hg (II) ion concentration over the range of 2.0 × 10(-7)-6.