Polystyrenesulfonate doped poly(Hydroxymethyl 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) stabilized Au nanoparticle modified glassy carbon electrode as a reusable sensor for mercury(II) detection in chloride media

• Highly stable and water soluble PEDOT stabilized Au nanoparticles were synthesized.
• Au@PEDOT modified electrode is a reusable sensor for Hg(II) detection.
• Hg(II) was detected by monitoring the Hg/Hg2Cl2 solid-state process.
• This sensor shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg(II) detection.

Polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) doped poly(hydroxymethyl 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) stabilized gold nanoparticles (Au@PEDOT) were synthesized through chemical reduction of chloroauric with EDOT monomer as the reductant, and PEDOT formed from oxidation of EDOT and PSS as the stabilizers. The resultant Au@PEDOT nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy as well as cyclic voltammetry. Glassy carbon electrodes modified with these nanoparticles were assessed for Hg(II) detection in chloride media by use of a solid-state Hg/Hg2Cl2 process. Results show that this modified electrode is a reusable sensor for the determination of Hg(II) with high selectivity and sensitivity (limit of detection = 0.05 μM).