Fluorescent gold nanoprobes for the sensitive and selective detection for Hg 2+

Abstract

A simple, cost-effective yet rapid and sensitive sensor for on-site and real-time Hg 2+ detection based on bovine serum albumin functionalized fluorescent gold nanoparticles as novel and environmentally friendly fluorescent probes was developed. Using this probe, aqueous Hg 2+ can be detected at 0.1 nM in a facile way based on fluorescence quenching. This probe was also applied to determine the Hg 2+ in the lake samples, and the results demonstrate low interference and high sensitivity. © 2010 The Author(s).