Preparation of Spin-Coated Poly(vinyl alcohol)/ chitosan/ Gold Nanoparticles Composite and Its Potential for Colorimetric Detection of Cyanide in Water

• Main Authors: Budlayan, Marco Laurence M, Oracion, Jeanne Phyre L, de la Rosa, Lyka B, Rodriguez, Mikee Joy D, Patricio, Jonathan N, Perez, Ser John Lynon P, Arco, Susan D, Manigo, Jonathan P, Austria, Eleanor S, Alguno, Arnold C, Deocaris, Custer C, Capangpangan, Rey Yonson
• Format: text
• Published: Archīum Ateneo 2022
• Subjects: cyanide; polyvinyl alcohol; chitosan; gold nanoparticle; composite; colorimetric sensor; water contamination monitoring; Environmental Sciences; Physics; Water Resource Management
• Online Access: https://archium.ateneo.edu/physics-faculty-pubs/87; http://www.pjoes.com/Preparation-of-Spin-Coated-Poly-vinyl-alcohol-nchitosan-Gold-Nanoparticles-Composite,140276,0,2.html
• Institution: Ateneo De Manila University

The rampant use of cyanide in mining activities has posed a substantial hazard to aquatic ecosystems and human health. Herein, a composite film of poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/CS) with gold nanoparticles was synthesized as a potential colorimetric sensor for cyanide ions detection in water. The utilized AuNPs with a mean diameter of 14.32±3.49 nm were synthesized by chemical reduction using polyethyleneimine. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy revealed the characteristic peak of AuNPs at around 530 nm in the spectrum of PVA/CS/AuNP film, while SEM microscopy revealed the integration AuNPs across the polymer substrate. A color change from red to colorless was observed on the composite film after the addition of water samples with cyanide ions with a visual detection limit between 0.1-1 ppm. The sensor also exhibited good selectivity towards cyanide against the tested water samples containing various metal ions. This study reveals the potential of the fabricated PVA/CS/AuNP composite film as a simple, affordable, and environmentally benign material for on-site detection of cyanide in water and other related application.