Microwave-assisted ultrafast synthesis of silver nanoparticles for detection of Hg2 +

•One-pot synthesis of AgNPs by ultrafast microwave-assisted method•l-Cysteine, as an ideal stabilizer, is environmentally friendly.•Monodispersed-spherical shaped AgNPs found to be around 10 nm.•This optical sensor shows high selectivity and sensitivity for Hg2 + as low as 0.01 μM.•Holds potential as a sensor for Hg2 + in ecosystems system

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were successfully prepared in aqueous solution by a one-pot procedure based on a rapid microwave-assisted green approach. l-Cysteine acted as a capping agent in the process of AgNP formation. The structural and morphological characteristics of the l-cysteine-capped AgNPs were investigated by the UV–vis, CD, FL, FTIR, XRD, TEM and EDX analysis. It was found that the well-dispersed crystalline AgNPs were formed after irradiation for 90 s and had sphere-like morphology. Such strategy may facilitate new ways to the synthesis of other metal nanoparticles, such as Au, Pt and Pd. In addition, the synthesized AgNPs were developed as a platform for the detection of Hg2 + and showed a high sensitivity on the order of 1 × 10− 8 M. This sensing system could discriminate Hg2 + from a wide range of cations (Ca2 +, Ba2 +, Mn2 +, etc.). The selectivity and sensitivity of AgNPs indicated its potential use as a sensor for Hg2 + detection in the ecosystems.

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