Nano-scale modification of gold surfaces for sensing mercury from gaseous effluents of alumina refineries

澳大利亚氧化铝工业每年出口收入超过54亿美元。它也是农村经济的主要推动力，澳大利亚七家氧化铝精炼厂中，只有一家位于农村地区。为了响应该行业试图减少其过程对环境的影响，该项目将在纳米水平上对汞蒸气和金表面之间的相互作用进行基本的战略研究。我们的主要目标是开发适合氧化铝精炼厂的汞传感器技术。这项创新技术将是控制汞排放方面的重大突破，并有许多其他应用。

The Australian alumina industry contributes more than $5.4 billion export income annually. It is also a major driver of the rural economy with all but one of Australia's seven alumina refineries located in rural areas. In response to the industry's attempts to reduce the environmental impact of its processes, this project will conduct basic strategic research into the interaction between mercury vapour and gold surfaces at the nano-level. Our principal aim is to develop mercury sensor technology suited to alumina refineries. This innovative technology will be a significant breakthrough in the control of mercury emissions and have many other applications.