SBIR Phase I: Highly Specific Nanoparticle Gas Sensors: HCN and SO2

这项小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段建议探索创造一种低成本气体传感器的可行性，该传感器高度专用于HCN和SO2的痕量水平。该项目包括两个平行的努力；一个是创造一种纳米结构的底物，选择性地结合HCN和SO2，另一个是创造一种低成本、特定物种的拉曼光谱仪。这两种技术结合在一起，形成了一个完整的、定量的、近乎实时的传感器，用于监测HCN和SO2。这种传感器将广泛适用于国土安全监测、环境排放监测和消防救援应用(HCN的烟雾吸入)。该项目在几个重要方面推动了拉曼光谱的实践。首先，它寻求将金纳米结构技术应用于固-气界面。其次，提出了一种结构紧凑、成本低廉的拉曼监测器。所采用的拉曼监测器制作技术对商业化拉曼监测器的发展具有较高的实用价值。这种传感器对氰化物或二氧化硫产品的用户应该有广泛的应用。氰化氢毒性特别大，在塑料生产和贵金属开采中大量使用。对市场的敷衍分析表明，几家大型化工公司对拟议中的装置感兴趣。该设备还需要提供对氰化氢或二氧化硫的快速检测。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I proposes to explore the feasibility of creating a low-cost gas sensor highly specific to trace levels of HCN and SO2. The project consists of two parallel efforts; one to create a nanostructured substrate that selectively binds HCN and SO2, and another to create a low-cost, species-specific Raman spectrometer. Together, both technologies form a complete, quantitative, near real-time sensor for monitoring HCN and SO2. Such a sensor would have broad applicability to homeland security monitoring, environmental emissions monitoring, and to fire rescue applications (smoke inhalation of HCN). The project advances the practice of Raman spectroscopy in several significant ways. First it seeks to apply Au nanostructure technology to solid-gas interfaces. Secondly, it proposes a Raman monitor that is compact and low-cost. The technology used to make the Raman monitor is both novel and highly practical for the development of commercial Raman monitors. This sensor should have broad applications for users of cyanide or sulfur dioxide products. Hydrogen cyanide is particularly toxic and used in large quantities in the production of plastics and mining of precious metals. Perfunctory analysis of the market indicates several large chemical firms that are interested in the proposed device. The device is also needed to provide rapid detection of hydrogen cyanide or sulfur dioxide.