Synthesis of Some Noble Metal Nanoparticle based Hydrogel Composite Materials for Colorimetric Detection of Heavy Metals

Abstract

In recent years, the detection of heavy metals in various environmental and biological samples has garnered significant research attention due to their toxic nature and detrimental effects on human health. Numerous analytical techniques have been developed for the detection of heavy metals, including colorimetric methods that offer simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and high sensitivity. In this study, we present the synthesis and characterization of novel noble metal nanoparticle-based hydrogel composite materials for colorimetric detection of heavy metals.

The hydrogel composites were prepared by incorporating noble metal nanoparticles, such as gold (Au), silver (Ag), and platinum (Pt), into a polymeric network. Various metal precursors and reducing agents were utilized to form the noble metal nanoparticles within the hydrogel matrix. The resulting materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate their morphology, crystal structure, and chemical composition.