Synthesis of Au@PANI nanocomposites by complexation method and their application as label-free chemo probe for detection of mercury ions

A novel optical probe consisting of Au@PANI (gold-polyaniline) nanocomposites was developed for detection of mercury ions (Hg(II)). The poly-dispersed Au@PANI nanocomposites were synthesized by complexation reaction method. Structural and functional properties of polymer nanocomposites were thoroughly studied. Au@PANI nanocomposites consist of nanorods and nanofibres with mean particle size 33.1 nm. Au@PANI nanocomposites consist of face-centred cubic crystal structure with average crystallite size of 19.1 nm. Raman spectroscopy was used in sensitive and selective detection of Hg(II) ions in dynamic range of 0.01–0.1 ppm with limit of detection of 0.014 ppm. Au@PANI nanocomposite sensor for Hg(II) ions has shown some sublime results in pH range 3–5. Au@PANI-based sensing probe can be beneficial for Hg(II) ions detection in highly sensitive biological, chemical and environmental analysis. Our sensing probe has shown good reproducibility and all recorded observations revealed that sensing probe consisting of Au@PANI nanocomposites is well suited for detection of Hg(II) ions.