Mercury Detection in Marine Environment using Electrospun Nanofibers as Colorimetric Sensor

Abstract Potable water from sea/ocean is becoming contaminated at a fast rate and there is need for monitoring this rate of contamination. There are a number of pollutants that cause contamination, harming aquatic and marine environment. Detecting this water pollutant has become a major concern in recent year and this paper proposes a novel solution to identify specific pollutants (Arsenic and Chromium) in water Nanomaterials have been identified to have higher sensitivity, quick recovery, faster response and ease of design when compared to other materials used. The proposed work uses electrospun nanofibers to detect the presence of mercury which is a heavy metal ion, in marine water. Electrospun nanofibers exhibit many features like easy functionalization, porous nature, large surface area, quick response and enhanced selectivity and sensitivity. To detect mercury ion, an electrospun nanofiber-based sensing platforms is devised and the observations are recorded.