Mercaptosuccinic-Acid-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles for Highly Sensitive Colorimetric Sensing of Fe(III) Ions

Abstract

The development of reliable and highly sensitive methods for heavy metal detection is a critical task for protecting the environment and human health. In this study, a qualitative colorimetric sensor that used mercaptosuccinic-acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (MSA-AuNPs) to detect trace amounts of Fe(III) ions was developed. MSA-AuNPs were prepared using a one-step reaction, where mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) was used for both stabilization, which was provided by the presence of two carboxyl groups, and functionalization of the gold nanoparticle (AuNP) surface. The chelating properties of MSA in the presence of Fe(III) ions and the concentration-dependent aggregation of AuNPs showed the effectiveness of MSA-AuNPs as a sensing probe with the use of an absorbance ratio of A530/A650 as an analytical signal in the developed qualitative assay. Furthermore, the obvious Fe(III)-dependent change in the color of the MSA-AuNP solution from red to gray-blue made it possible to visually assess the metal content in a concentration above the detection limit with an assay time of less than 1 min. The detection limit that was achieved (23 ng/mL) using the proposed colorimetric sensor is more than 10 times lower than the maximum allowable concentration for drinking water defined by the World Health Organization (WHO). The MSA-AuNPs were successfully applied for Fe(III) determination in tap, spring, and drinking water, with a recovery range from 89.6 to 126%. Thus, the practicality of the MSA-AuNP-based sensor and its potential for detecting Fe(III) in real water samples were confirmed by the rapidity of testing and its high sensitivity and selectivity in the presence of competing metal ions.

Research progress in the detection of trace heavy metal ions in food samples

“…(C) Schematic representation of the colorimetric detection of heavy metal ions using AuNPs, reproduced with permission from ( Guo et al, 2014 ). (D) Scheme of colorimetric detection of Fe(III) ions using MSA-AuNPs, reproduced with permission from ( Komova et al, 2021 ).…”

“…Some organic molecules were commonly used for the functionalization of metal nanoparticles to recognize heavy metal ions. As illustrated in Figure 1D , researchers ( Komova et al, 2021 ) developed a simple method to prepare mercaptosuccinic-acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (MSA-AuNPs). When Fe(III) was present, the functional groups (MSA) on the surface of AuNPs bind with these metal ions to form a large number of cross-linked structures, resulting in the aggregation of AuNPs, along with the color of the solution changing from red to blue-gray.…”

Fluorescent Polymer Carbon Dots for the Sensitive–Selective Sensing of Fe3+Metal Ions and Cellular Imaging

“…Since the last few years, nanoparticle-based sensors have undergone rapid development as compared with molecular probes because of their stable fluorescence property, excellent sensitivity, and selectivity . For these purposes, different types of fluorescent nanoparticles such as carbon dots (CDs), ,,, N-doped CDs, − N/P codoped carbon dots, B/N codoped CDs, N/S-doped CDs, N/S codoped CDs, 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)-bis­(ethylamine)-functionalized carbon nanorods (CNRs), fluorescein/poly­(ethylenimine)-modified reduced graphene oxide, mercaptosuccinic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), glycol chitosen-functionalized AuNPs, p -amino salicylic acid dithiocarbamate-functionalized AuNPs, N -acetyl- l -cysteine silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), l -cysteine-capped Fe 3 O 4 @ZnO, 3,3,′5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine-functionalized upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), and self-assembly-based fluorescent organic nanoparticles have been designed to allow the fluorometric detection of the Fe 3+ metal ions . In addition, fluorescent organic molecule-based colorimetric sensors have also been developed for Fe 3+ metal ion sensing, such as rhodamine 6G derivative-based fluorescent probes and Schiff base ligand-based sensors. , Moreover, Schiff base ligand-coated AuNPs have been developed for Fe 3+ metal ion sensing .…”

Tannic Acid-Capped Gold Nanoparticles as a Novel Nanozyme for Colorimetric Determination of Pb2+ Ions

“…In this case, the surface modification of nanoparticles with various chelating ligands [10][11][12][13] and oligonucleotides [14][15][16][17] provides highly specific detection of Pb 2+ [18]. In the presence of detectable heavy metal ions, aggregation of nanoparticles occurs, followed by a concentration-dependent color change, which is observed with the naked eye or recorded photometrically [19,20]. However, obtaining functionalized nanoparticles increases the complexity and cost of the analysis.…”