Overview
Islam et al. (2025) develop a silver nanoparticle (AgNPs)-based colorimetric sensor for mercury(II) detection in water. The method is based on Hg2+-induced aggregation of functionalized AgNPs causing a visible color change from yellow to colorless.
Key numbers
LOD: 1.58 µM Hg2+, equivalent to approximately 317 µg/L (317 ppb). This LOD is approximately 50-fold above the WHO drinking water guideline of 6 µg/L for total mercury, making this method suitable only for highly contaminated water monitoring (industrial discharge, remediation sites), not for regulatory compliance or routine food testing.
Validated in water matrices only. No food matrix validation.
Methods (brief)
AgNPs colorimetric platform with Hg2+-induced aggregation. Visual readout with naked eye possible. The relatively high LOD of 1.58 µM limits practical application to heavily contaminated environmental scenarios.
Implications
Testing: The 1.58 µM LOD places this method well above food and drinking water safety thresholds. Of limited direct analytical relevance to food monitoring but contributes to the broader literature on colorimetric Hg sensors.
Related evidence
Update history
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