Ultratrace Chemical Analysis with Nanotubule Membranes - Fundamental Studies

该项目由分析和表面化学计划支持，对分析物分子对流过膜的电流的影响进行基础研究。这项研究由佛罗里达大学的查尔斯·马丁博士和他的团队进行，该研究使用含有金纳米管的膜，通过测量分析物分子通过膜时增强的阻力来检测分析物浓度。这种管子具有分子尺寸(1 Nm)，并且可以实现极低的检测下限。该项目涉及四个主要领域：1)分析物从主体溶液转移到纳米管嘴的机制，2)分析物分配到纳米管中的性质，3)分析物在纳米管内的受阻扩散对响应机制的作用，以及4)该装置可达到的基本检测极限。这项研究开发了含有金纳米管的膜如何用于分析极低水平的有机物种的基本信息。这项研究的信息将有助于确定极小(如病毒)颗粒的大小和数量。

This project, which is supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry program conducts fundamental studies on the effects of analyte molecules on current flow through membranes. Conducted by Dr. Charles Martin and his group at the University of Florida, the research uses a membrane containing gold nanotubes to detect analyte concentrations by measuring enhanced resistance as an analyte molecule passes through the membrane. The tubes are of molecular dimensions ( 1 nm) and extraordinarily low detection limits are possible. The project addresses four main areas; 1) the mechanism by which the analyte is transferred from the bulk solution to the mouths of the nanotubes, 2) the nature of the partitioning of the analyte into the nanotubes, 3) the role of hindered diffusion of the analyte within the nanotubes on the response mechanism, and 4) the fundamental detection limits achievable by this device. This research develops basic information on how membranes containing gold nanotubes can be used to analyze extremely low levels of organic species. Information from this research will be useful to determine the size and number of extremely small (eg virus) particles.