title: Visual and colorimetric detection of Hg(2+) by cloud point extraction with functionalized gold nanoparticles as a probe.
abstract: Association with Hg(2+) enhances the hydrophobicity and triggers the cloud point extraction of approximately 4 nm-diameter gold nanoparticle probes functionalized with mercaptopropionic acid and homocystine, which results in the color change of the TX-114-rich phase from colorless to red, and therefore provides a novel approach for visual and colorimetric detection of Hg(2+) with ultrahigh sensitivity and selectivity.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China.
authors.forename: Zhi-qiang
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Jing-fu
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yong-guang
authors.initials: YG
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Gui-bin
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Jiang