Applications of copper nanoparticles for colorimetric detection of dithiocarbamate pesticides

In this report an expeditious, manageable and uncomplicated advancement has been demonstrated in the field of nanoparticles for sensing dithiocarbamates (DTCs) Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb pesticides in environment and juice samples using cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)-capped copper nanoparticles (CTAB-Cups) as colorimetric probe. The probe was prepared in aqueous solvent using CTAB and hydrazine monohydrate. Localized surface plasmon resonance band of the prepared sensor was scanned by UV–visible spectrophotometer. Further Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), zeta potential and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques were employed to reveal the interaction, functionality, surface characteristics and particle size. Probe was used competently for colorimetric sensing of Ziram, Zineb, and Maneb belonging to the DTCs group of pesticides. Sudden change in color from reddish wine to yellow was noted visibly and monitored on spectrophotometer, FTIR, EDX, zeta potential and DLS. The probe indicated very susceptible and selective colorimetric detection of DTCs within the range of 97.9–489.3 ng/ml, 8.8–44.1 ng/ml and 8.4–42.4 ng/ml for Ziram, Zineb and Maneb. The designed method yielded very rapid and organized procedure for detection of DTCs with minimal sample preparations. The method was used for the analysis of DTCs spiked tap water, tomato extract, mango juice, and recoveries of DTCs were obtained within 95.8–108.5% with relative standard deviation within 0.14–1.11%.