Discriminating Analysis of Metal Ions via Multivariate Curve Resolution–Alternating Least Squares Applied to Silver Nanoparticle Sensor

Heavy metals are life-threatening pollutions because of their great toxicity, long-term persistence in nature and their bioaccumulation in living organisms. In this work, we performed multivariate curve resolution–alternating least squares analysis of UV-Vis raw spectra received by a colorimetric sensor constructed on mercaptoundecanoic acid functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs@11MUA) to detect Cd2+, Cu2+, Mn2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ in water. This combined approach allowed the rapid identification and quantification of multiple heavy metals and showed adequate sensitivity and selectivity, thus representing a promising analytical and computational method for both laboratory and field applications such as environmental safety and public health monitoring.