(545g) Fluorescent Metal Nanosensors in IR Range for Nitrate Detection in Water

In recent decades the use of nutrients and fertilizers for agriculture has increased which is associated with serious environmental and health problems. Understanding nitrate and phosphate levels in water and biological fluids is important to provide useful information about eutrophication, several diseases, and other environmental problems. Metal fluorescent (FL) nanoparticles have a great potential for sensing and bioimaging. Methods for detection of these ions in water and soil continues to be a prominent field of research, with a need for real-time field-based analytical methods. In the present research, we report studies of the fluorescent intensity of gold nanoparticles, Cuproriavate (EB) as well as other IR-emitting probes with the intent to couple fluorescent response with surface plasmon resonant response in a dual signal sensor. These have been coated onto glass and silicon using an aminopropyl triethoxy silane tether. Coating thickness and topology was studied using Ellipsometry and AFM methods. The EB showed the highest fluorescent intensity in all cases. Fluorescence emission of EB suspension and its potential for nitrate detection in water was tested. EB suspension has a fluorescent peak at 900 nm at excitation wavelength of 532 nm.