Control over surface DNA density on gold nanoparticles allows selective and sensitive detection of mercury(II)

We have developed a new highly selective and sensitive technique for the detection of Hg²⁺ using DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) and OliGreen. This system is the first that allows the detection of Hg ²⁺ based on the release of DNA molecules, induced by conformational changes on Au NP surfaces, and its sensitivity is highly dependent upon surface DNA density. When Hg²⁺ ions interact with the thymidine units of the DNA molecules bound to the Au NPs through Au-S bonds, the conformations of these DNA derivatives change from linear to hairpin structures, causing the release of some of the DNA molecules from the surface of the Au NPs into the bulk solution to react with OliGreen. The fluorescence of OliGreen-DNA complexes increased with increasing concentration of Hg²⁺, and Hg²⁺ could be detected at concentrations as low as 25 nM. A linear correlation existed between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of Hg ²⁺ over the range 0.05-2.5 μM (R² = 0.98). This simple and cost-effective probe was applied to determine the spiked Hg²⁺ in the pond samples; the recoveries (96-102%) suggested low matrix interference and high sensitivity.