Specifically colorimetric recognition of calcium, strontium, and barium ions using 2-mercaptosuccinic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles and its use in reliable detection of calcium ion in water.

A colorimetric probe based on 2-mercaptosuccinic acid-functionalized gold nanoparticles has been developed to exhibit selectivity towards Ca(2+), Sr(2+), and Ba(2+) ions over other metallic cations under specified conditions and finds its practical application in detecting Ca(2+) levels in water.