20
Nanoscale
Inorganic Ion-Exchange Films for Enhanced Electrochemical Heavy Metal
Detection--Eltron
Research, Inc., 4600 Nautilus Court South, Boulder, CO
80301-3241; 303-530-0263, www.eltronresearch.com
Dr.
Michael T. Carter, Principal Investigator,
Ms.
Eileen E. Sammells, Business Official, e
DOE
Grant No. DE-FG02-03ER83645
Amount:
$749,995
Heavy metal contamination represents a major problem for DOE
sites and several private sector operations including mining and metal
finishing. This project will develop
a compact, portable, low-cost electrochemical monitoring system for heavy metals
in water. The system provides a
significantly improved sensitivity and detection limit, along with improved
reliability and durability of the electrodes, by using a clay mineral modifed
surface to enhance signal-to-noise for the analtye.
In Phase I, miniaturized monitoring devices on a chip were fabricated and
the technical feasibility of the proposed method was proven.
Sensitivity and detection limit were improved five-fold (i.e., 500%
improvement) compared to a standard anodic stripping electrochemical detection
approach. The response of the
proposed methods was characterized under a variety of conditions including
analyte concentration, pH, and ionic strength.
During Phase II, the methods and approaches will be refined and optimized
to produce a robust, sensitive system for reliable monitoring of heavy metals.
The system will exploit microelectrode technology and an innovative,
nanostructured clay mineral preconcentration layer to enable high sensitivity,
cost efficient monitoring solutions for toxic heavy metals.
Commercial
Applications and Other Benefits as
described by awardee: The
sampling and monitoring system should be applicable to surface and subsurface
water contamination problems relevant to DOE needs.
In addition, potential private sector applications include monitoring
emissions at metal plating facilities, on-site analysis of ground water quality,
and on-line and point-of-use monitoring of municipal drinking water.