Surface reaction strategy for Raman probing trace cadmium ion

Prevalent contamination of water by cadmium ion (Cd2+) brings environmental risk, which threatening to human health including renal dysfunction, reduced lung capacity, and some cancers. It calls for rapid, sensitive and selective protocol to analyze Cd2+ on field. In this work, specific Raman probe is rationally designed by gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with tripeptide glutathione (GSH) and Rhodamine 6G (R6G) (denoted as R6G/GSH/AuNPs), which is explored for indirectly determining trace Cd2+ in river water. Based on chelating interaction between GSH and Cd2+ to form tetrahedral Cd(SG)4, which trends easy detachment from R6G/GSH/AuNPs. With increasing Cd2+ concentration, the Raman probe without protection of GSH happens due aggregation and Raman signal of R6G increases correspondingly. The R6G/GSH/AuNPs-based Raman detection of Cd2+ in river water shows rapidness, excellent sensitivity, selectivity and good repeatability. Limit of detection of 10 ppb with a widely linear range of 0.5–20 ppm could be achieved. It could be perspective that such Raman probe could be extended to be used for on-site monitoring trace Cd2+ in river water system.