Amine-Functionalized Silane-Assisted Preparation of AgNP-Deposited α-Ni(OH)(2) Composite Materials and Their Application in Hg(2+) Ion Sensing

[Image: see text] A facile synthetic methodology for the deposition of different concentrations of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) on α-Ni(OH)(2) sheets (α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(0.5), α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(1), α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(2), and α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(3)) is reported using N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]diethylenetriamine (TPDT) silane. The TPDT aminosilane facilitates the formation of α-Ni(OH)(2) sheets and reduces the Ag(+) precursor to AgNPs, leading to the deposition of AgNPs on α-Ni(OH)(2) sheets. UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission microscopy analyses, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and attenuated total reflectance–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy techniques were used to characterize the prepared α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(0.5–3) composite materials. High-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping images and scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping images were recorded to understand the α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag composite sheet materials. The optical sensing property of α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(0.5–3) composite materials toward toxic Hg(2+) ions were investigated using a UV–vis absorption spectroscopy technique. The α-Ni(1)(OH)(2)-Ag(2) composite material showed selective sensing behavior.