UP scientists explore eco-friendly method to detect toxic dyes

Scientists from the University of the Philippines - Diliman are looking into an environment-friendly method to detect toxic dyes by synthesizing silver (Ag) nanoparticles using natural organic acids.

The study noted that the excessive use of toxic synthetic dyes as colorants in textiles, printing, rubber, and plastics poses as a threat to the environment particularly in waterways.

“Reports show that the annual global production of synthetic dyes is approximately 800,000 tons, which consists of a myriad of different types of dyes,” the scientists said.

“When dye-containing industrial effluents are discharged directly without treatment, they can have a detrimental impact on the environment, particularly the aquatic ecosystem,” they added. “Many of these synthetic dyes are capable of causing severe damage even at very low concentrations, which is particularly concerning.”

Hence, the scientists said that enhancing the dye detection capabilities of Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) through synthesizing silver nanoparticles can provide an alternative technique to detect dyes without harming the environment.

The synthesis used ascorbic acid (also known as vitamin C), citric acid, malic acid, and tartaric acid.

“The green-synthesized Ag (silver) nanostructures showed remarkable SERS activity when used as substrates for the detection of rhodamine 6G dye, a highly toxic water contaminant,” the study read.

“Their hierarchical assembly structure gave rise to multipolar LSPRs (localized surface plasmon resonances) that resulted in strong optical absorption in a wide spectral range.”

Further, the silver nanostructures “also proved to be successful in detecting trace amounts of thiram, a widely used organic fungicide.”

“This further demonstrates the potential utility of these materials in the sensitive detection of organic contaminants,” the scientists said. — BAP, GMA Integrated News