Selective colorimetric nano-sensing solution for the determination of phosphate ion in drinking water samples

A new sensing solution for the colorimetric determination of PO43− in drinking water samples was developed. The sensing solution composed of silver nanorods in the absence of PO43− ions. Mixing the sensing solution and high concentration of PO43− the growth and formation of silver nanorods are suppressed, and the colour of the solution was changed from wine colour to yellow. The wavelength shift of the sensing solution in the presence and absence of PO43− was monitored for PO43− quantification. Colorimetric determination of PO43− revealed the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.076 μM and 0.12 μM in the absence and presence of all interferences, respectively.