Highly sensitive colorimetric sensor for the detection of H2PO4− based on self-assembly of p-sulfonatocalix[6]arene modified silver nanoparticles

It is a challenging task to develop a simple method to detect the biologically important anion H2PO4− in aqueous solution. Herein, a highly sensitive H2PO4− colorimetric sensor was designed in this paper. It is based on the self-assembly technique of the p-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene functionalized Ag NPs clusters which can enhance the sensitivity and selectivity of the H2PO4− detection. This colorimetric sensor can also realize real-time quantitative detection for H2PO4− with a detection limit of 10−7 M.

Graphical abstractIn this paper, a novel colorimetric sensor for H2PO4− was successfully developed, it is facile, sensitive and selective, and also the determination of H2PO4− can be carried out by the naked eyes in aqueous solution. We also provide a method based on the self-assembly technique of the p-Sulfonatocalix[6]arene functionalized Ag NPs clusters to ehance the sensitivity and selectivity of the detection H2PO4−. This colorimetric sensor realized real-time quantitative detection of H2PO4− with a detection limit of 10−7 M.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide