Aggregation induced photoacoustic detection of mercury (â ¡) ions using quaternary ammonium group-capped gold nanorods

The photoacoustic probe, gold nanorods modified with (11-mercapto-undecyl)-trimethylammonium (MTA) molecules containing sulfydryl groups, is developed with excellent selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of mercury ions. More importantly, the devised photoacoustic detection system performs good stability and anti-interference compared to the traditional colorimetric detection system, making it possible to apply to the actual Hg2+-contaminated water samples.178