Microcantilever with Carboxyl-Functionalization for Mercury Ion Detection

Microcantilevers with surface functionalizations have provided the possibility of mechanical transductions for chemical detections. In this work, the 15-mercaptopentadecanoic acid (HS(CH2)14COOH) was functionalized onto the Au-coated microcantilever for mercury ion detection. Experimental results revealed that the HS(CH2)14COOH-functionalized microcantilever exhibited the excellent sensing characteristics with a low detection limit of 10-10 M, a wide detectable regime of 4 orders of mercury concentration, and a good sensitivity within 1 hr.