Unusual seedless approach to gold nanoparticle synthesis: application to selective rapid naked eye detection of mercury(ii)

Abstract

We report a novel seedless Hg²⁺-induced synthetic approach for the preparation of gold nanostructures. This protocol is demonstrated for the highly selective and sensitive naked eye detection of Hg²⁺ based on the high affinity metallophilic Hg²⁺–Au⁺ interaction. The response time upon exposure to Hg²⁺ is almost instantaneous.