Rapid and cost-effective colorimetric detection of Ytterbium (Yb3+) ion using catechol-derived gold nanoparticles

Catechol generated gold nanoparticles have been demonstrated as simple, colorimetric detection system for Yb 3+ ions (rare earth). • Catechol generated gold nanoparticles (cAuNPs) have been demonstrated as efficient sensors. • Easy colorimetric detection system has been developed. • Newly developed cAuNPs can detect rare earth element. • Limit of detection for Yb 3+ ions has been found to be 191 nM. A label-free, rapid colorimetric detection system utilizing catechol-derived gold nanoparticles (cAuNPs) has been developed for screening rare earth elements, with a focus on Ytterbium (Yb 3+ ). The newly developed cAuNPs show a strong plasmonic response to Yb 3+ due to their specific affinity among the screened rare earth metals, resulting in rapid color changes and distinctive spectral shifts from 530 nm to 550 nm, making them a selective and sensitive sensor with a detection limit of 191 nM for Yb 3+ . This system provides a convenient, cost-effective approach for Yb 3+ detection, avoiding complex sample preparation.