Recent Advances in Silver and Gold Nanoparticles-Based Colorimetric Sensors for Heavy Metal Ions Detection: A Review

Abstract

Silvetr and gold nanoparticles-based colorimetric sensors (Ag/Au-NPs-CSns) allow potential prospects for the development of efficient sensors owing to their unique shape- and size-dependent optical properties. In this review, recent (2020) advances in morphology-controllable synthesis, shape/size-dependent performance, sensing mechanism, challenges and prospects of Ag/Au-NPs-CSns for the detection of heavy metals are discussed. The size/shape-controlled synthesis of innovative Ag/Au-NPs-CSns is reviewed critically and the possible role of different parameters like temperature, time, pH, stabilizing/capping agents, reducing agents and concentration/nature of precursors are discussed. Then, we highlighted how the shape, size, optimum composition, functionalization, stabilizing/capping agents, surface structure and synergism influence the optical properties and sensing efficiency of Ag/Au-NPs-CSns. This review attempted to accentuate the efficiency of novel multimetallic Ag/AuNPs-CSns as compare to their monometallic counterparts and explained how the incorporation of multi-metals affects their performance. Besides, the sensing mechanisms of Ag/Au-NPs-CSns with special reference to recently published studies are discussed. Finally, challenges and prospects in the controllable-synthesis and practical applications of these sensors are studied. This mechanistic approach and timely review can be promisingly considered as a valuable reference and will help fuel new ideas for the development of novel colorimetric sensors.

Highlights

• A review of recent advances in Ag/Au-NPs-CSns for heavy metal ions detection

• Morphology of Ag/Au-NPs-CSns regulate their optical properties/sensing efficiency

• Promising Ag/Au-NPs-CSns can be synthesized by adjusting experimental parameters

• Hybrid and functionalized Ag/Au-NPs-CSns have superior sensing performance

• Size/shape transformation, aggregation/anti- and oxidation are sensing mechanisms

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Colorimetric detection
• heavy metal ions
• sensing mechanism
• shape/size-controlled synthesis
• silver and gold nanoparticles

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This work has been financially supported by the Wenzhou University scientific research start-up fund (QD2021155), Natural Science Foundation of Zhejiang (LY21C200001), Natural Science Foundation of China (61805180), Wenzhou science and technology bureau general project (G20200044), Zhejiang natural science foundation of China (LQ20F030021) and Wenzhou science and technology bureau general project (S2020011).