Colorimetric sensing of metal ions using biosynthesized silver nanoparticles

In this study, biogenic silver nanoparticles obtained from Murraya koenigii leaf extract were first employed as a prospective colorimetric sensor for the rapid identification of various ions including heavy and transition metallic ions in aqueous solutions. The colorimetric sensor was cost-effective and exhibited good selectivity. Transition and heavy metallic ions like Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Hg²⁺ were both qualitatively and quantitatively identified spectrophotometrically by means of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. The possible mechanism responsible for the colorimetric sensing of metal ions was evaluated in our study.