Development of Novel Ultrasensitive Devices for the Measurement of VOCs

环境空气中的有害挥发性有机化合物(VOCs)具有急性和 对人类健康的慢性影响。气相色谱与质谱仪(GC-MS)联用 MS)是分析空气中挥发性有机化合物最常用的技术。然而，GC-MS是 对于Superfund站点的痕量VOCs的现场测量无效。这个项目的总体目标是 环境科学研究项目是为定量研究开发新技术 实验室和现场测量有毒、空气中的VOCs的痕量VOCs的分析。 我们将重点介绍丙烯醛、氯乙烯、苯和1，3-丁二烯的测量。这个 方法是研究用于捕获超级基金VOCs的化学选择性微反应器。 微反应器具有设备小型化、成本低、速度快等优点。 检测电流脱硫剂管式预浓缩器。我们还将开发硫醇修饰的 用于现场检测这些VOCs的金纳米颗粒气体传感器阵列。官能化硫醇 将被合成来检测浓度范围从亚ppb到几ppm的目标VOCs。 建议用于修饰金纳米颗粒的硫醇将具有官能团和 特定促进与目标VOCs的相互作用和识别的结构基序，从而 显著提高了传感选择性和灵敏度。传感器将在环境中工作 温度。这项研究项目将导致量化的转化技术 痕量挥发性有机物的分析。这项研究与该中心的总体目标直接相关 接触挥发性有机化合物对诱发/加重心脏代谢的影响 疾病。该项目还将对环境空气监测产生重大而广泛的影响。 以及促进国土安全。

Hazardous volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in environmental air have both acute and chronic effects on human health. Gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC- MS) is the most common technology used for analysis of airborne VOCs. However, GC-MS is not effective for on-site measurement of trace VOCs at Superfund sites. The overall goal of this environmental science research project is to develop novel technologies for quantitative analysis of trace VOCs in both the lab and for on-site measurement of toxic, airborne VOCs. We will focus on measurements of acrolein, vinyl chloride, benzene and 1,3-butadiene. The approach is to investigate chemoselective microreactors for capture of Superfund VOCs. Microreactors provide superior advantages of miniaturized device size, very low cost, and fast detection over current sorbent-based tube preconcentrators. We also will develop thiol-modified gold nanoparticle gas sensor arrays for on-site detection of these VOCs. Functionalized thiols will be synthesized to detect target VOCs at a concentration range from sub-ppb to a few ppm. The thiols proposed for modification of gold nanoparticles will have functional groups and structural motifs to specifically promote interaction with and recognition of target VOCs, thus significantly increasing sensing selectivity and sensitivity. The sensors will work at ambient temperature. This research project will lead to transformational technologies for quantitative analysis of trace VOCs. The research is directly related to the overall goals of the Center for investigating the effects of exposure to VOCs on inducing/exacerbating cardiometabolic disease. The project will also have significant broader impacts on monitoring environmental air and on promoting homeland security.