Colorimetric Sensor Using Silver Nanoparticles for Determination of Hydrogen Peroxide Based on a Flow Injection System

In this work, a colorimetric probe using a flow injection (FI) system and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was developed for determination of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) concentration. AgNPs have catalytic ability for decomposition of H2O2, producing silver ions and superoxide. The reaction mechanism of H2O2 and AgNPs at various concentrations is described. H2O2 concentration was quantified by monitoring decrease in AgNPs surface plasmon resonance during the decomposition reaction. Under the optimum condition, the detection limit for H2O2 was 0.6 mg/l. The flow system developed in this study provided good precision of analysis (relative standard deviation = 2.97%) with high throughput (18 samples/h). This method was successfully applied to analysis of H2O2 in pharmaceutical and household products. Therefore, the method is feasible for on-line monitoring H2O2 in manufacturing process quality control.