Industrial Consultancy & Sponsored Research (IC&SR) , IIT Madras
Vertically Aligned Nanoplates of Atomically Precise Co6S8 Cluster
for Practical Arsenic Sensing
Technology Category/Market
Category – Analytical Chemistry, Sensors
Applications – Electrochemical arsenic sensor, Heavy metal testing, Bioremediation, Water Testing
Industry – Electrochemistry, Environmental Monitoring, Water Testing & Treatment
Market – The global arsenic removal market size was valued at USD 622.25 million in 2021 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.33% during the 2021 – 27, reaching USD 714.62 million by 2027.
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Problem Statement
- Arsenic contamination in drinking water affects over 120 million people worldwide and is expanding due to excessive groundwater use and chemical usage.
- Existing arsenic sensors lack practicality due to reduced stability, selectivity, analysis limits, and high costs.
- The need for a practical arsenic sensor in water without pre-concentration and sophisticated instrumentation is crucial.
- In view of the sensitivity of cobalt-based systems for arsenic sensing, a atomically precise Co6 cluster system is explored to develop a practical sensor.
- The inventors have developed a method of ambient electrospray deposition (ESD) is used to create 2D nanostructures of the Co6 cluster system with unique morphologies.
- The goal is to develop a practical electrochemical arsenic sensor capable of detecting arsenite down to 5 parts per billion (ppb) in tap water, suitable for field applications.
Technology
- The present invention relates to the formation of vertically aligned nanoplates of a cobalt containing cluster [Co6S8DPPE6Cl6] cluster (Co6 in short), protected by 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, using ambient electrospray deposition (ESD).
- A method of preparing an electrode, comprises:
- Preparing nanoplates by electrospray deposition of the Co6S8 nanocluster from its solution in dichloromethane.
- Electrospray deposition of the charged droplets on water; refer Fig. 2.
- Harvesting the nanoplates and casted on glassy carbon electrode with a conducting polymer results in vertically aligned crystalline nanoplates; refer Fig. 1 (b).
- Detecting arsenite by its electrochemical oxidation characterized in that, the vertically aligned crystalline nanoplates act as catalytically active surfaces for As3+ binding and detects arsenite by its electrochemical oxidation. Fig. 3.
Key Features/Value Proposition
- Materials Cost and Reusability:
- Binder and consumables contribute to materials cost per electrode (< $0.5).
- Electrodes are reusable, leading to potential cost reduction.
- Total cost per analysis can be kept under $1.
- Arsenic Sensing Invention:
- Developed practical method for sensing arsenic (As3+).
- Utilized atomically precise Co6 cluster for sensing.
- Achieved detection down to 5 ppb in tap water.
- Novel Cobalt Cluster:
- Synthesized [Co6S8DPPE6Cl6] cluster under ambient conditions.
- Characterized using SCXRD and spectroscopic studies.
- Sensing Platform Preparation:
- Electrospray deposition (ESD) used to create water surface-based sensing platform.
- Resulted in vertically aligned crystalline nanoplates.
- Enhanced Sensing Performance:
- Cluster ions interacted with water surface, organizing nanoplatelets.
- Improved surface area and selectivity.
- Excellent response to As3+ achieved.
- Low LOD and Compliance:
- Achieved Limit of Detection (LOD) of 0.66 ppb.
- LOD below WHO guideline for arsenic in drinking water (10 ppb).
- Practical Benefits:
- Affordability, selectivity, and sensitivity of the method.
- This can be integrated to electrochemistry so that data are available on the cloud.
- There is no need of reagents and consumables.
- Cost-effectiveness makes it a suitable option for arsenic sensing.
- Potential for significant global health impact by enabling affordable arsenic sensing below 10 ppb in water.
Questions about this Technology?
Contact for Licensing
Research Lab
Prof. Pradeep .T
Department of Chemistry
Intellectual Property
- IITM IDF Ref. 2469
- IN 202241076581
Technology Readiness Level
TRL – 4
Technology validated in lab.