Interaction of borohydride stabilized silver nanoparticles with sulfur-containing organophosphates

Understanding the interactions between nanoparticles and organophosphates is the key to developing cost-effective colorimetric pesticide detection. We have studied the interaction between three different organophosphates containing the PS group and borohydride stabilized silver nanoparticles. Three different organophosphates, namely phorate, chlorpyrifos, and malathion, have been used. The colorimetric changes are corroborated with UV-visible absorption studies along with the change in particle size and zeta potential. This effect persists in the presence of NaCl solution also. The chlorpyrifos and malathion do not show significant interactions with uncapped nanoparticles over time, while phorate undergoes degradation due to the scission of the S–CH2 linkage. A reaction mechanism, wherein a silver and sulfur (Ag→S) complex is formed, which is in agreement with Raman spectroscopic studies is proposed. The orientations of phorate near Ag nanoparticles are discussed from the adsorption energy calculation using density functional theory.