Colorimetric detection of metal ions using green-synthesized silver nanoparticles

Abstract Generally, the analysis of metal ions uses expensive and tedious techniques and involving complicated devices. Here, we developed a colorimetric-based detection of metal ions using green-synthesized of PVA-stabilised silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which is simple and low cost. The linearity and sensitivity of AgNPs in detecting metal ions were determined from the absorbance and shifting of local surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) band in the visible range. The detection was carried out on Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Mn(II). The most sensitive response was obtained on Cu(II) ions, among the five ions tested. The response showed a good linearity (R2= 0.9886) in the range of 0.2-1.4 ppm of Cu(II). Meanwhile, the sensitivity on Cu(II) resulted in the limit of detection and the limit of quantitation of 0.1609 mg.L−1and 0.5179 mg.L−1, respectively.