Gold nanoparticles-based colorimetric determination of pharmaceuticals and personal care products: from sensing methodology to application

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), a class of emerging pollutants, can accumulate in the environment and cause endocrine disruption, damage to the reproductive system, even cancer. Hence, fast monitoring of PPCPs is of significant importance for human health. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-based colorimetric sensing is promising for fast, in-field analysis and has gained widespread application in PPCPs monitoring. This review aims to present the development of colorimetric sensors based on AuNPs for the detection of various PPCPs. Methodological innovations and breakthroughs in analytical performances are summarized. The different colorimetric principles of AuNPs, along with their corresponding advantages, applicability, and limitations, are discussed in detail. Additionally, a systematic overview of AuNPs-based colorimetric sensing methods for determining different types of PPCPs was provided. Finally, further prospects and challenges are highlighted to promote the advancement of PPCPs sensing technologies based on AuNPs.