Colorimetric and bare-eye detection of alkaline earth metal ions based on the aggregation of silver nanoparticles functionalized with thioglycolic acid

We describe a simple and rapid method for colorimetric and bare-eye detection of the alkaline earth metal ions Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) based on the use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) functionalized with thioglycolic acid (TGA). The TGA ligand was self-assembled onto the AgNPs to form a probe that undergoes a color change from yellow to orange or red on exposure to the alkaline earth ions. It is presumed that the color change is a result of the aggregation of the AgNPs caused by the interaction of the bivalent ions with the carboxy groups on the AgNPs. The color change can be used for bare-eye and colorimetric determination of the alkaline earth metal ions, for example to rapidly determine water hardness.