Ada Genavia
Jun 6, 2012

New research leads to sensors that detect contaminants in water

Organic contaminants in various ecosystems can only be detected at very low concentrations. Research published from the University of Notre Dame could be beneficial in detecting them. The Kamat laboratory uses Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy to make use of silver nanoparticles to increase the sensitivity of chemical detection. Researchers in this study have prepared a semiconductor-graphene-metal film that absorbs organic molecules on the film’s graphene surface which increases the local contaminant concentration adjacent to silver nanoparticles. The researchers have investigated the use of graphene oxide films in which the semiconductor titanium dioxide and metal nanoparticles are deposited on opposite sides of the graphene surface. Scientists are currently working toward the detection of environmental contaminants at even lower levels. Careful control of metal size and loading will be essential in optimizing strips for water quality testing.