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We have developed a simple, colorimetric and label-free gold nanoparticle (Au NP)-based probe for the detection of Pb(2+) ions in aqueous solution, operating on the principle that Pb(2+) ions change the ligand shell of thiosulfate (S(2)O(3)(2-))-passivated Au NPs. Au NPs reacted with S(2)O(3)(2-) ions in solution to form Au(+).S(2)O(3)(2-) ligand shells on the Au NP surfaces, thereby inhibiting the access of 4-mercaptobutanol (4-MB). Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOF MS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements revealed that PbAu alloys formed on the surfaces of the Au NPs in the presence of Pb(2+) ions; these alloys weakened the stability of the Au(+).S(2)O(3)(2-) ligand shells, enhancing the access of 4-MB to the Au NP surfaces and, therefore, inducing their aggregation. As a result, the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption of the Au NPs red-shifted and broadened, allowing quantitation of the Pb(2+) ions in the aqueous solution. This 4-MB/S(2)O(3)(2-)-Au NP probe is highly sensitive (linear detection range: 0.5-10 nM) and selective (by at least 100-fold over other metal ions) toward Pb(2+) ions. This cost-effective sensing system allows the rapid and simple determination of the concentrations of Pb(2+) ions in real samples (in this case, river water, Montana soil and urine samples)., (Copyright 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A colorimetric, label-free, and nonaggregation-based gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) probe has been developed for the detection of Pb(2+) in aqueous solution, based on the fact that Pb(2+) ions accelerate the leaching rate of Au NPs by thiosulfate (S(2)O(3)(2-)) and 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Au NPs reacted with S(2)O(3)(2-) ions in solution to form Au(S(2)O(3))(2)(3-) complexes on the Au NP surfaces, leading to slight decreases in their surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption. Surface-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight ionization mass spectrometry (SALDI-TOF MS) data reveals the formation of Pb-Au alloys on the surfaces of the Au NPs in the presence of Pb(2+) ions and 2-ME. The formation of Pb-Au alloys accelerated the Au NPs rapidly dissolved into solution, leading to dramatic decreases in the SPR absorption. The 2-ME/S(2)O(3)(2-)-Au NP probe is highly sensitive (LOD = 0.5 nM) and selective (by at least 1000-fold over other metal ions) toward Pb(2+) ions, with a linear detection range (2.5 nM-10 muM) over nearly 4 orders of magnitude. The cost-effective probe allows rapid and simple determination of the concentrations of Pb(2+) ions in environmental samples (Montana soil and river), with results showing its great practicality for the detection of lead in real samples.