Rapid and sensitive determination of ascorbic acid based on label-free silver triangular nanoplates

In this study, a new method for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA) was proposed. It was based on the protective effect of AA on silver triangular nanoplates (Ag TNPs) against Cl(−) induced etching reactions. Cl(−) can attack the corners of Ag TNPs and etch them, causing a morphological shift from triangular nanoplates to nanodiscs. As a result, the solution changes color from blue to yellow. However, in the presence of AA, the corners of Ag TNPs can be protected from Cl(−) etching, and the blue color of the solution remains unchanged. Using this effect, a selective sensor was designed to detect AA in the range of 0–40.00 μM with a detection limit of 2.17 μM. As the concentration of AA varies in this range, color changes from yellow to blue can be easily observed, so the designed sensor can be used for colorimetric detection. This method can be used to analyze fruit juice samples.