Stefanie Bragg, a graduate student from Professor Ziling (Ben) Xue’s group, recently published an article in Analytica Chimica Acta. The article, entitled “Flower-like self-assembly of gold nanoparticles for highly sensitive electrochemical detection of chromium(VI)” co-authored with Ruizhuo Ouyang, postdoctoral research associate in Xue’s group, and Jim Chambers, professor emeritus, was printed as a featured article on the outside front cover of the April 2012 issue.
This research article describes the novel fabrication of a dual gold nanoparticle electrode that allows for detection of chromium (VI) in the range of 1 parts per trillion to 1.2 parts per billion. Xue’s group pursues analytical research focused on environmental sensors. They detect chromium due to its potential use as an alternative therapy for diabetic patients (taken as chromium(III) picolinate). Their electrode is not only a novel fabrication, it also has a wide range for detection in the parts per trillion range which is extremely rare yet highly attractive.
Earlier this year, Bragg received the Society for Electroanalytical Chemistry Student Travel Award and presented her research at the 2012 International Pittsburg Conference in Orlando, Florida.