Stabilization of silver nanoparticles in a transparent polymethacrylate matrix while maintaining the capabilities of a colorimetric hydrogen peroxide sensor

We suggest sensor systems based on silver nanoparticles embedded within the polymethacrylate matrix for colorimetric determination of hydrogen peroxide. Polymethacrylate matrix stabilizes silver nanoparticles and its application enhances the selectivity of H2O2 determination through the transfer of the redox reaction from the solution volume into the solid phase, which reduces the access of interfering substances to the reaction medium. Dual-signal spectrophotometric and colorimetric approaches can be used for the determination of hydrogen peroxide in the range 0.2-4.4 mM with a detection limit 0.05 mM. We studied the conditions of interaction between the matrix components and some other substances by evaluating the influence of such factors as solution pH, the amount of nanoparticles within the polymer matrix, the contact time, and the analyte concentration upon the analytical signal.