Unusual seedless approach to gold nanoparticle synthesis: application to selective rapid naked eye detection of mercury(II)

Abstract

Report a novel seedless Hg2+-induced synthetic approach for the preparation of gold nanostructures. This protocol is demonstrated for the highly selective and sensitive naked eye detection of Hg2+ based on the high affinity metallophilic Hg2+–Au+ interaction. The response time upon exposure to Hg2+ is almost instantaneou