Selective Detection of Hg(II) Ions from Cu(II) and Pb(II) Using AlGaN∕GaN High Electron Mobility Transistors

Abstract

Bare Au-gated and thioglycolic acid functionalized Au-gated high electron mobility transistors were used to detect mercury(II) and copper(II) ions. Fast detection of was achieved for thioglycolic acid functionalized sensors. The thioglycolic acid functionalization increased the sensitivity for detection of mercury by 2.5 times over the bare Au-gated surface. Both surfaces had a selectivity of approximately 100-fold over other contaminating ions of sodium, magnesium, and lead and can be easily recycled. Our results show that portable, selective, and fast and sensors can be realized by combining bare Au-gated and thioglycolic acid-functionalized surface in one sensor.