Oxidation-triggered aggregation of gold nanoparticles for naked-eye detection of hydrogen peroxide

Naked-eye detection of H2O2 was realized based on the color change of gold nanoparticles upon aggregation. The removal of polyethylene glycol chains from the nanoparticle surface under H2O2 treatment let to the exposure of inner hydrophobic ligands, causing the nanoparticle aggregation in aqueous medium. This detection system shows a wide dynamic range in the μM scale and a distinguishable limit of 10 μM.