A new selective, simple, fast and sensitive method is developed for sensing assay of Bi (III) using pyridine 2,6-dicarboxylic acid or dipicolinic acid (DPA) modified silver nanoparticles (DPA–AgNPs). Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized by reducing silver nitrate (AgNO3) with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in the presence of DPA. Bismuth detection is based on color change of nanoparticle solution from yellow to red that is induced in the presence of Bi (III). Aggregation of DPA–AgNPs has been confirmed with UV–vis absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Under the optimized conditions, a good linear relationship (correlation coefficient r = 0.995) is obtained between the absorbance ratio (A525/A390) and the concentration of Bi (III) in the 0.40–8.00 lM range. This colorimetric probe allows Bi (III) to be rapidly quantified with a 0.01 lM limit of detection. The present method successfully applied to determine bismuth in real water and drug samples. Recoveries of water samples were in the range of 91.2–99.6%.
