Detection of Hg2+ using microcantilever sensors.
Trace amounts of Hg2+ are detected by using a microcantilever coated with gold. The microcantilever undergoes bending due to accumulation of Hg2+ on the gold surface. It is found that a concentration of 10(-11) M Hg2+ can be detected using this technology. Other cations, such as K+, Na+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Ni2, Cd2+, Cu2+, and Ca2+ have little or no effect on the deflection of the cantilever. The selectivity of the Hg2+ sensor could be improved by coating the gold surface of microcantilever with a self-assembled monolayer of a long-chain thiol compound.
Xu
Xiaohe
X
Chemistry Program Institute for Micromanufacturing, Louisiana Tech University, Ruston 71272, USA.
Thundat
Thomas G
TG
Brown
Gilbert M
GM
Ji
Hai-Feng
HF
D000327:Adsorption; D004867:Equipment Design; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012996:Solutions; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties
D012996:Solutions; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D006046:Gold; D008628:Mercury