Abstract
The current study was focused on detection of sulfide ion colorimetrically form aqueous solution by using silver-polyvinylpyrrolidone nanocomposites (Ag–PVP NCs). The prepared NCs was analyzed by using UV–visible spectrophotometer, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyzer, fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), particle size analyzer, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and zeta sizer. The minimum detection limit for sulfide by Ag–PVP NCs was calculated to be 1.05 nM. The decrease in absorbance and colour variation from brownish yellow to reddish brown was observed after the interaction of sulfide ion with Ag–PVP NCs due to the aggregation of NCs. The competitive ions presence with the analyte solution did not interfere the sulfide ion detection ability by prepared probe. The effective detection of the probe was studied with various pH, temperature and salinity. The proposed probe was found to be an efficient tool for the sensitive, selective, cost effective and on-site detection of sulfide ions from various aqueous media.
•The Ag-PVP NCs used to detection of S2− ion colorimetrically.•The presence of S2− ion caused the aggregation of Ag-PVP NCs.•The prepared probe sowed highly selectivity and sensitivity to detect S2− ions.•The limit of detection of S2− ions by Ag-PVP NCs was determined to be 1.05 nM.