Triazole-acetate functionalized gold nanoparticles for colorimetric Pb(ii) sensing

Abstract

New triazole-acetate functionalized gold nanoparticles (TTA–AuNPs) for sensitive and selective colorimetric detection of Pb²⁺ were developed. Aggregation of TTA–AuNPs was induced immediately in the presence of Pb²⁺, yielding a color change from wine-red to purple. This Pb²⁺-induced aggregation of TTA–AuNPs was monitored by the bare eye and UV-vis spectroscopy with a detection limit of 16.7 nM. TTA–AuNPs showed excellent selectivity toward Pb²⁺compared to other metal ions through the interaction between the carboxyl group and triazole structure of TTA and Pb²⁺. The best detection of Pb²⁺ was achieved in a pH range from 5 to 10. Furthermore, TTA–AuNPs were applied to detect Pb²⁺ in lake water with low interference.