Determination of low-level mercury based on a renewable-drops sensing technique.
The design and characteristics of a novel drop-based fluorescence-detection technique for the determination of mercury(II) are described. The method, using a flow injection technique, is based on the renewable-drops of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine(TMB), which are formed at the bottom tip of a silica capillary tube connected to the end of the flow system. An excitation beam from a high-pressure Hg lamp directly illuminates the drops, the fluorescence emission is conducted to a photodiode (PD) to convert the photocurrent into a voltage signal (mV). Optimum analytical conditions for Hg(II) assays have been established. In NaAc/HAc buffer at pH 3.09 this assay has a wide linear range for Hg(II) from 8.0 x 10(-8) to 2.0 x 10(-5) mol/L with a detection limit of 2.0 x 10(-8) mol/L. The use of renewable drops allowing a fresh reaction surface for each sample is of particular value to solving the problems of irreversible reactions. Besides its high sensitivity, the method permits a simple, fast, and inexpensive measurement with only micro-quantities of reagent consumption. The technique described provides a simple and sensitive way to fabricate sensors of feasible prospects and commercial advantages.
College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, China.
R H
RH
Yang
K M
KM
Wang
D
D
Xiao
K
K
Luo
X H
XH
Yang
D001560:Benzidines; D005453:Fluorescence; D005618:Fresh Water / Q000032:analysis; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis
D001560:Benzidines; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C021758:3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine; D008628:Mercury