Nanogold-embedded poly (vinylidene fluoride) fibrous membrane for selective sensing of Hg (II) ion

We demonstrate here a mercury (II) ion (Hg2+) selective membrane developed by functionalizing Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibers with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Au NPs were first synthesized and then embedded within PVDF nanofibers by electrospinning. The electrospun nanofibers were characterized structurally and morphologically whereby energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopy confirms the incorporation of the Au NPs within the nanofibers. Current-voltage (I–V) response across the electrospun membrane in an electrochemical cell in a mixture of monovalent and divalent ionic species was recorded. The conductance values extracted from the I–V response showed efficient gating of the Hg2+ ions across the Au NPs embedded PVDF membrane. The evaluation of sensitivity and selectivity of the Au NPs embedded PVDF membrane depicted that it could detect concentrations up to 1 pM of Hg2+ ions in water.