Disodium ETDA capped AuNPs as a colorimetric probe for selective Pb2+ detection

A facile, cost-effective and sensitive colorimetric detection method for Pb2+ has been developed by using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The sensitivity and selectivity of detection were investigated in detail. The AuNPs could be induced to aggregate immediately in the presence of Pb2+. The Pb2+ could be detected by colorimetric response of AuNPs that could be monitored by a UV-vis spectrophotometer or even naked eyes, and the detection limit could reach 0.33 nM. AuNPs bound by Pb2+ showed excellent selectivity compared to other metal ions (Hg2+, Mg2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Ca2+, Al3+, K+, Pb2+, Ba2+, and Bi2+) which led to prominent color change. This provided a simple and effective colorimetric sensor (no enzyme or DNA) for on-site and real-time detection of Pb2+ Most importantly, this probe was also applied to determine the Pb2+ in the lake samples with low interference and high sensitivity.

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