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Ultrasensitive Detection of Cu2+ Using a Microcantilever Sensor Modified with L-Cysteine Self-Assembled Monolayer

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Abstract

A microcantilever was modified with a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of L-cysteine for the sensitively and selectively response to Cu(II) ions in aqueous solution. The microcantilever undergoes bending due to sorption of Cu(II) ions. The interaction of Cu(II) ions with the L-cysteine on the cantilever is diffusion controlled and does not follow a simple Langmuir adsorption model. A concentration of 10−10 M Cu(II) was detected in a fluid cell using this technology. Other cations, such as Ni2+, Zn2+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Ca2+, K+, and Na+, did not respond with a significant deflection, indicating that this L-cysteine-modified cantilever responded selectively and sensitively to Cu(II).

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Acknowledgements

H. F. Ji, X. Xu, and N. Zhang thank NSF Sensor and Sensor Network ECS-0428263 for financially supporting this research. T. Thundat and G. M. Brown were funded by the Environmental Remediation Sciences Division, Office of Biological and Environmental Research, Environmental Management Science Program, US Department of Energy, under contract No. DE-AC05-00OR22725 with Oak Ridge National Laboratory managed and operated by UT-Battelle, LLC for the USDOE.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA

    Xiaohe Xu, Na Zhang & Hai-Feng Ji

  2. Chemical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, 37831, USA

    Gilbert M. Brown

  3. Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, T6G 1H9, Canada

    Thomas G. Thundat

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  1. Xiaohe Xu
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  2. Na Zhang
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  4. Thomas G. Thundat
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  5. Hai-Feng Ji
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Correspondence to Hai-Feng Ji.

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Xu, X., Zhang, N., Brown, G.M. et al. Ultrasensitive Detection of Cu2+ Using a Microcantilever Sensor Modified with L-Cysteine Self-Assembled Monolayer. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 183, 555–565 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2511-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12010-017-2511-7

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