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Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Synthesis of Near-Infrared Emitting Gold Nanoclusters for Biological Applications
Published on: March 22, 2020
Colorimetric detection of Hg2+ using gold nanoparticles synthesized by Trichosporon montevideense WIN
Rouyi Wang1, Henglin Zhang1, Xiuhong Zhang2
1State Key Laboratory of Fine Chemicals, Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering (Ministry of Education), School of Environmental Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian, 116024, China.
Objective:
To investigate a simple, cost-effective and eco-friendly method for colorimetric detection of Hg2+ using gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) synthesized by Trichosporon montevideense WIN.
Results:
Hg2+ induced more visible blue shift of SPR band of the AuNPs than other heavy metal ions including Pb2+, Cd2+, Fe3+, Mn2+, Co2+ and Cu2+. The λmax of SPR band exhibited a gradual blue shift from 548 to 537 nm with concentration of Hg2+ increasing (0-200 µM), and the absorbance ratio (A537/A548) showed a positive linear correlation with Hg2+ concentration (R2 = 0.96). AuNPs synthesized at pH 6 showed more obvious blue shift than at pH 5 and pH 7. Through Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, biomolecules coated on the AuNPs were speculated to dominate the formation of a core (Au)-shell (Hg) structure, which resulted in the colorimetric response.
Conclusion:
A sensitive and selective approach to detect Hg2+ using AuNPs synthesized by Trichosporon montevideense WIN is reported for the first time, which can provide a new potential candidate for detecting Hg2+ in the future.
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