Graphene-based sensors for soil analysis: spectroscopic and theoretical study

该项目将研究石墨烯作为传感器材料的特性，以检测土壤中的小分子和离子。您将使用先进的激光光谱学和量子化学的组合来研究石墨烯和相关材料的光化学性质及其与离子（如磷酸盐和硝酸盐）的相互作用。我们的目标是开发高选择性和低成本的石墨烯传感器，以检测土壤中的各种化学物质。因此，该项目将有助于解决监测土壤中磷酸盐和硝酸盐等植物营养素的关键环境问题。石墨烯已经被开发为传感器材料。有利地，石墨烯是高度通用的，并且可以在组成（通过掺杂或缺陷）以及结构（通过激光烧蚀从平面到3D）上改变。组成和结构的任何改变都将改变这些石墨烯材料的传感特性。换句话说，石墨烯可以被微调以感测特定的小分子或离子。

This project will investigate the properties of graphene as a sensor material to detect small molecules and ions in soil. You will use a combination of advanced laser spectroscopy and quantum chemistry to investigate photochemical properties of graphene and related materials and their interactions with ions, such as phosphate and nitrate. Our goal is to develop highly selective and low-cost graphene-based sensors to detect a variety of chemical species in soil. Thus this project will help address a key environmental problem of monitoring plant nutrients, such as phosphate and nitrate, in soil.Graphene is already being exploited as a sensor material. Advantageously, graphene is highly versatile and can be altered in composition (through doping or defects) as well as structurally (from planar to 3D via laser ablation). Any alteration in composition and structure will alter the sensing properties of these graphene materials. In other words, graphene can be fine-tuned to sense specific small molecules or ions.