Visual detection of trace copper ions based on copper-catalyzed reaction of ascorbic acid with oxygen.
A visual detection method for trace Cu(2+) in aqueous solutions using triangular silver nanoplates (abbreviated as TAgNPs) as the probe was developed. The method is based on that TAgNPs could be corroded in sodium thiosulfate (Na2S2O3) solutions. The absorption spectrum of TAgNPs solution changed when it is corroded by Na2S2O3. The reaction of oxygen with ascorbic acid (Vc) in the presence of a low concentration of Cu(2+) generates hydrogen peroxide that reacts with Na2S2O3, which leads the concentration of Na2S2O3 in the solution to be decreased. Therefore, the reaction between TAgNPs and the reacted mixture of Na2S2O3/Vc/Cu(2+) was prevented efficiently. When the Na2S2O3 concentration and reaction time are constant, the decrease in the concentration of Na2S2O3 is directly proportional to the Cu(2+) concentration. Thus, morphology, color, and maximum absorption wavelength of TAgNPs changed with the change of Cu(2+) concentration. The changed maximum absorption wavelength of TAgNPs (Δλ) is proportional to Cu(2+) concentration in the range from 7.5×10(-9) to 5.0×10(-7) M with a correlation coefficient of r=0.9956. Moreover, color change of TAgNP solution was observed clearly over a Cu(2+) concentration range from 7.5×10(-8) to 5.0×10(-7) M. This method has been used to detect the Cu(2+) content of a human hair sample, and the result is in agreement with that obtained by the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) method.
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, PR China.
Xin Yan
XY
Hou
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, PR China.
Shu
S
Chen
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, PR China.
Lian Ju
LJ
Shun
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, PR China.
Yi Ni
YN
Zhao
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, PR China.
Zhi Wu
ZW
Zhang
Key Laboratory of Theoretical Organic Chemistry and Function Molecule, Ministry of Education, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, PR China. Electronic address: l_yunfei927@163.com.
Yun Fei
YF
Long
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Beijing Union University, Beijing 100101, PR China. Electronic address: x694200@163.com.
Li
L
Zhu
D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D002384:Catalysis; D003300:Copper / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007477:Ions; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry*; D012834:Silver / Q000737:chemistry; D013056:Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
D007477:Ions; D012834:Silver; D003300:Copper; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D010100:Oxygen
Copper(II) ions; Sodium thiosulfate; Triangular silver nanoplates; Visual detection