Colorimetric detection of lead (II) based on silver nanoparticles capped with iminodiacetic acid

We report on a colorimetric probe for the determination of Pb(II). It is based on the use of silver nanoparticles that have been functionalizd with iminodiacetic acid (IDA-Ag NPs). The absorption spectrum and solution color of IDA-Ag NPs undergo dramatic changes on exposure to Pb(II) with a new absorption peak appearing at 650 nm and a concomitant color change from yellow to green. This is assumed to result from the aggregation of IDA-Ag NPs induced by Pb(II). Under optimum conditions, there is a linear relationship between the ratio of the absorbances at 650 and 396 nm, respectively, and the concentration of Pb(II) in the 0.4 to 8.0 μM concentration range, with a detection limit of 13 nM. The method was applied to the determination of Pb(II) in tap water and urea samples, and recoveries ranged from 93.7 % to 98.6 %.