Synthesis of nanoparticles: sunlight formation of gold nanodecahedra for ultra-sensitive lead-ion detection

Abstract

Aqueous solution containing two additives, chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ) and trisodium citrate (Na 3 C 6 H 5 O 7 ), was irradiated by sunlight, without any additional stimulus such as electric power, to form high-yield Au decahedra. Those Au nanodecahedra were thermodynamically stable and exhibited high performance sensing of lead (Pb 2+ ) ions.Growing global energy consumption leads to continuously increasing accumulation of CO 2 emissions in the atmosphere. Given strong demand for carbon-neutral energy sources, solar energy is widely seen as our largest source of renewable energy. Here, we show a solar-mediated synthesis of high-yield multiplytwinned gold (Au) nanodecahedra. The synthetic process involves only two additives, chloroauric acid (HAuCl 4 ) and trisodium citrate (Na 3 C 6 H 5 O 7 ), without any additional stimulus such as electric power. Importantly, defects to release the buildup of internal stresses in the Au nanodecahedra serve as active sites, resulting in strong coordination with citrate ions donating electrons from the citrate ions to the Au surface. Therefore, without surface modification or any additional preparation, the thermodynamic stable Au nanodecahedra are able to act as label-free Pb 2+ detection sensors. The minimum detectable concentration of Pb 2+ for label-free Au nanodecahedra is 4.8 nM; however, it is much lower (4.8 pM) for glutathionefunctionalized decahedra. We have developed a green, simple, inexpensive, and sensitive colorimetric sensor.Green synthetic strategies are in great demand, as are processes that reduce the variety and amount of products and wastes hazardous to the environment and human health. Choices of chemicals, solvent media, processes and materials all need to be evaluated from a green chemistry perspective. Solar is widely considered to be the largest source of carbonneutral renewable energy. As a chemical reagent, sunlight is non-toxic, non-polluting, and traceless in chemical processes. However, sunlight is only used to a limited extent in the synthesis

Sunlight mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles using redox phytoprotein and their application in catalysis and colorimetric mercury sensing

“…Recently, sunlight mediated synthesis of NPs using plant extract is gaining more interest over the existing methods, since they are renewable, nontoxic and cost effective [13][14][15][16][17]. Sunlight is the primary source of energy for nearly all life.…”

Trace colorimetric detection of Pb 2+ using plasmonic gold nanoparticles and silica–gold nanocomposites

“…Therefore, the rapid, sensitive and trace level detection of Pb 2+ ions is of great importance in public interest. While many effective fluorescent sensors have been successfully developed for various metal ions [15][16][17][18][19], there have been relatively few reports on Pb 2+ ions sensing via selective fluorescent sensors [20][21][22][23][24].…”

“…These are usually based on the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for the modified Au and even AgNPs [3,[6][7][8][9]24,[29][30][31][32]. Among various optical reporting methodologies listed in the literature for the detection of Pb 2+ ions, sensing based on the plasmon absorption of Au and…”

ZnO nanoparticle by solar energy and their catalytic application for α-amino phosphonates synthesis

“…Solar energy is widely considered to be the largest renewable, free, non-toxic and non-polluting energy source. In the perspective of nanoparticle synthesis the use of solar energy was reported for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles, wherein the synthesis was carried under the normal sun light (34-50 1C) [16][17][18]. This method cannot be used for various other metal and metal oxide nanoparticles synthesis as it requires higher driving force.…”