Selective colorimetric nano-sensing solution for the determination of phosphate ion in drinking water samples

ABSTRACT

A new sensing solution for the colorimetric determination of PO₄³⁻ in drinking water samples was developed. The sensing solution composed of silver nanorods in the absence of PO₄³⁻ ions. Mixing the sensing solution and high concentration of PO₄³⁻ the growth and formation of silver nanorods are suppressed, and the colour of the solution was changed from wine colour to yellow. The wavelength shift of the sensing solution in the presence and absence of PO₄³⁻ was monitored for PO₄³⁻ quantification. Colorimetric determination of PO₄³⁻ revealed the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.076 μM and 0.12 μM in the absence and presence of all interferences, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Phosphate ions
• silver nanoparticles
• colorimetric determination
• water samples

Acknowledgments

The authors want to thank Al Azhar university-Gaza for providing the necessary facilities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.