Paper GR+AS+BI+PS+SS-ThA3
Detection of Uranium and Plutonium by Graphene-Based Nanosensors
Thursday, October 31, 2013, 2:40 pm, Room 104 B
| Session: |
Plasma Processing, Surface Chemistry, Functionalization, and Sensor Applications of 2D Materials |
| Presenter: |
G. Sandi, Argonne National Laboratory |
| Authors: |
G. Sandi, Argonne National Laboratory
A. Bobadilla, Texas A&M University
A.V. Sumant, Argonne National Laboratory
L. Ocola, Argonne National Laboratory
J. Seminario, Texas A&M University
C. Mertz, Argonne National Laboratory
M. Kaminski, Argonne National Laboratory
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| Correspondent: |
Click to Email |
The design and fabrication of arrays of electronic molecular devices as sensors for plutonium and uranium at the nanoliter volume will be discussed. Computational calculations performed at Texas A&M University and experiments performed at Argonne National Laboratory (Center for Nanoscale Materials and Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division), will be presented. In particular, we are studying graphene, which is a vibronic, plasmonic, and electronic material for molecular circuits and sensors. The idea is to use the plasmonic features of graphene molecules in order to transfer the electrical, magnetic, vibrational, and optical characteristics of nuclear agents into the graphene plasmon, which produces an enhancement (amplification) of observable quantities as successfully done with chemical and biological agents. For nuclear agents, we have additional possibilities due to their radiation features. Theoretical simulations have shown the possible use for sensors to identify single molecules with high selectivity and sensitivity that will contribute to the miniaturization, as well as efficient transport and processing of signals using graphene based devices. It is expected that this approach will allow us not only to sense targeted agents, but also to perform chemical recognition using molecular potentials, which have become the signature at the nanoscale, perfectly suitable for detection and identification of atoms and small molecules. Maps of the molecular potentials around complexes of U and Pu allows us to distinguish their main signatures similar to those observed in biological systems where receptors are able to distinguish to its transmitters or when a donor of electrons is able to match with an acceptor. The information obtained, especially following a supercritical nuclear event, would severely limit the list of potential actors and provide critical information to guide a proper and timely response.
Acknowledgments
Use of the Center for Nanoscale Materials was supported by the U. S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357.
The submitted manuscript has been created by U Chicago Argonne, LLC, Operator of Argonne National Laboratory (“Argonne”). Argonne, a U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science laboratory, is operated under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. The U.S. Government retains for itself, and others acting on its behalf, a paid-up nonexclusive, irrevocable worldwide license in said article to reproduce, prepare derivative works, distribute copies to the public, and perform publicly and display publicly, by or on behalf of the Government.