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Ashley Cobbs_Final Thesis.pdf (2.48 MB)

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Detection of Barium and Strontium Ions in Water Utilizing Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles

Cobbs, Ashley L
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1588098171596986

Abstract Details

2020, Bachelor of Science (BS), Ohio University, Chemistry.
Throughout the world, pollutants in water have become commonplace, largely as the result of human activities. Environmental organizations test waterways all over the United States for a wide array of polluting agents, from organic materials found in pesticides, to harmful bacteria, to heavy metals. The standard instrument used to measure the quantity of metals in water samples is an inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. This specialized instrument requires extensive training and is expensive to purchase, operate, and maintain. As a result, it places a burden on the testing of water samples and can prohibit water from being tested in a timely manner. Therefore, there is a current need for a faster process to evaluate water samples. The overall objective of this study was to assess the viability of utilizing functionalized silver nanoparticles to economically determine the concentrations of cations, specifically barium and strontium ions, in contaminated water samples. The ligands on the nanoparticles selectively bind the ions, which induce a color change in the nanoparticles that is detectable by a UV-Vis spectrophotometer, a relatively cheap analytical instrument. Significant progress towards the practical application of functionalized nanoparticles with environmental samples was made. After the addition of high concentrations of barium and strontium ions, nanoparticle samples shifted color from yellow to pink, signifying the feasibility of bare-eyed detection. Creating samples with a range of ions from 1 mM to 100 mM, a rough detection range for barium and strontium ions were determined. Regression analysis indicated a strong trend between plasmonic resonance absorbance wavelengths and the concentrations of metal ions in water. With these findings, there are many avenues for future work. To name a few, different nanoparticles could be used, the possibility of interfering factors common in water samples should be investigated, and further data at different concentrations of ions could be collected to produce more precise trend lines.
Anthony Stender, Dr. (Advisor)
Lauren McMills, Dr. (Committee Chair)
67 p.
Analytical Chemistry; Chemistry; Environmental Science; Experiments; Molecules; Nanoscience
Nanoparticles; Water Chemistry; Trace Metals; Water Quality; Water Monitoring; UV-Vis

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Cobbs, A. L. (2020). Detection of Barium and Strontium Ions in Water Utilizing Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles [Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1588098171596986

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Cobbs, Ashley. Detection of Barium and Strontium Ions in Water Utilizing Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles. 2020. Ohio University, Undergraduate thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1588098171596986.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Cobbs, Ashley. "Detection of Barium and Strontium Ions in Water Utilizing Functionalized Silver Nanoparticles." Undergraduate thesis, Ohio University, 2020. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=ouhonors1588098171596986

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

ouhonors1588098171596986
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This open access ETD is published by Ohio University Honors Tutorial College and OhioLINK.