Rapid Perchlorate Sensor

Dr. Connick and his students at the University of Cincinnati have developed a solid state anion sensor for the rapid on-site detection of water contaminants. This portable solid state anion sensor illuminates in the presence of anions detecting a little as 0.1 ppb. The sensor’s innovative material possesses exceptional chemical selectivity to incredibly difficult to detect anions such as perchlorate. More specifically the technology has been utilized to sense the presence of perchlorate within a wide range of solutions including river and lake water milk and other aqueous solutions which contain phosphate sulfate nitrate carbonate chloride bromide iodide and fluoride. Limited interference allows for unambiguous detection of aqueous perchlorate at 0.1 ppb even in the presence of other anions at >106 ppb. The proposed technology offers several benefits. The sensor material is inexpensive and the technology provides rapid on-site detection without cumbersome electronics or additional lab analysis. Easily incorporating into existing rapid-screening sensor devices the technology can be used to complement devices that make use of conventional analytical technologies such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) methods visible absorption and luminescence spectroscopy photodiodes and/or light-emitting devices (LEDs). Moreover because the sensor provides a colorimetric response the technology could be utilized in a manner similar to pH paper test strips which change color in response to varying levels of pH. Applications: 1) The sensor material is inexpensive and the technology provides rapid on-site detection without cumbersome electronics or additional lab analysis. 2) Easily incorporating into existing rapid-screening sensor devices the technology can be used to complement devices that make use of conventional analytical technologies such as quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) methods visible absorption and luminescence spectroscopy photodiodes and/or light-emitting devices (LEDs).