Rapid Detection of Mercury Ions Using Sustainable Natural Gum-Based Silver Nanoparticles

Fabrication of metal nanostructures using natural products has attracted scientists and researchers due to its renewable and environmentally benign availability. This work has prepared an eco-friendly, low-cost, and rapid colorimetric sensor of silver nanoparticles using tree gum as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Several characterization techniques have been exploited to describe the synthesized nanosensor morphology and optical properties. Ultraviolet−Visible (UV−Vis) spectroscopy has been used for monitoring the localized plasmon surface area. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) illustrated the size and shape of silver nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction spectra showed the crystallography and purity of the product. Silver nanoparticles decorated with almond gum molecules (AgNPs@AG) demonstrated high sensitivity and colorimetric detection of mercury ions in water samples. The method is based on the aggregation of AgNPs and the disappearing yellow color of AgNPs via a spectrophotometer. The detection limit of this method was reported to be 0.5 mg/L. This work aimed to synthesize a rapid, easy-preparation, eco-friendly, and efficient naked-eye colorimetric sensor to detect toxic pollutants in aqueous samples.

Introduction of a Zn-based metal-organic framework @ biomass porous activated carbon as a high-sensitive coating for a stainless steel SPME fiber: application to the simultaneous analysis of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

The present study introduces a high-efficiency nanocomposite material featuring a zinc-based metal-organic framework and a novel porous activated carbon derived from bread waste. The prepared nanocomposite, namely Zn-MOF-5@BHPAC, has been synthesized by a low-temperature hydrothermal process and coated onto the surface of a stainless steel wire with epoxy glue. The fabricated fiber has been employed as an SPME fiber applied in the extraction and pre-concentration of some nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) before their high-performance liquid chromatography-ultraviolet (HPLC-UV) studies. The characterization studies were performed utilizing field emission scanning electron microscopy, elemental mapping, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, elemental analyzer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis. Under the optimal conditions, the method demonstrated low detection limits (LODs, 0.06-0.15 µg L-1), wide linear ranges (LRs, 0.20-380 µg L-1) with good linearity (R2 > 0.991), good precisions (RSDs < 6.95%), and acceptable relative recoveries (RR > 85%). Using the green and affordable biomass of bread as a novel carbon-rich source is an innovative idea provided in this study. In addition, the hybridization of the obtained carbon-based material with the MOF compound to create a new high-capacity sorbent is another strength of the proposed method. Long service lifetime, economic efficiency, environmental friendliness, and high extraction capability were some of the other advantages of the suggested procedure. Therefore, the method can utilize successfully for the simultaneous determination of NSAIDs (as model analytes) in different matrixes.

Fast and sensitive fluorescent detection of inorganic mercury species and methylmercury using a fluorescent probe based on the displacement reaction of arylboronic acid with the mercury species

We present a reaction-based fluorescent probe for Hg²⁺ and methylmercury based on the displacement reaction of arylboronic acid with mercury species.