Localized surface plasmon resonance mercury detection system and methods
First Claim
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1. A mercury detection system comprising:
- a flow cell comprising a mercury sensor, wherein the mercury sensor comprises;
a transparent substrate; and
a submonolayer of spherical gold nanoparticles on a surface of the substrate, wherein the spherical gold nanoparticles are substantially free of a surface coating;
a light source that directs light from the light source to the mercury sensor;
a light detector that detects a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles; and
a heat source that heats the mercury sensor to regenerate the mercury sensor,wherein the system determines whether mercury is present in a sample based on a rate of change of the detected LSPR signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles.
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Abstract
A mercury detection system that includes a flow cell having a mercury sensor, a light source and a light detector is provided. The mercury sensor includes a transparent substrate and a submonolayer of mercury absorbing nanoparticles, e.g., gold nanoparticles, on a surface of the substrate. Methods of determining whether mercury is present in a sample using the mercury sensors are also provided. The subject mercury detection systems and methods find use in a variety of different applications, including mercury detecting applications.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A mercury detection system comprising:
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a flow cell comprising a mercury sensor, wherein the mercury sensor comprises; a transparent substrate; and a submonolayer of spherical gold nanoparticles on a surface of the substrate, wherein the spherical gold nanoparticles are substantially free of a surface coating; a light source that directs light from the light source to the mercury sensor; a light detector that detects a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles; and a heat source that heats the mercury sensor to regenerate the mercury sensor, wherein the system determines whether mercury is present in a sample based on a rate of change of the detected LSPR signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for determining whether mercury is present in a sample, the method comprising:
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contacting a sample to a mercury sensor comprising; a transparent substrate; and a submonolayer of spherical gold nanoparticles on a surface of the substrate, wherein the spherical gold nanoparticles are substantially free of a surface coating; directing light from a light source to the sample-contacted mercury sensor; detecting a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles; determining whether mercury is present in the sample based on a rate of change in the detected LSPR signal; and regenerating the mercury sensor by heating the mercury sensor. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for determining whether mercury is present in a sample, the system comprising:
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a nozzle for directing flow of a fluid onto a mercury sensor, wherein the mercury sensor comprises; a transparent substrate; and a submonolayer of spherical gold nanoparticles on a surface of the substrate, wherein the spherical gold nanoparticles are substantially free of a surface coating; a light source that directs light from the light source to the mercury sensor; a light detector that detects a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles; and a heat source that heats the mercury sensor to regenerate the mercury sensor, wherein the system determines whether mercury is present in a sample based on a rate of change of the detected LSPR signal from the spherical gold nanoparticles.
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Specification