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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

The Calibration and Use of Capacitance Sensors to Monitor Stem Water Content in Trees
Published on: December 27, 2017
Early warning sensors for monitoring mercury in water
U Pinaeva1, D Lairez2, O Oral1
1Laboratoire des Solides Irradiés, CNRS-CEA-Université Paris-Saclay, UMR7642, Ecole polytechnique, 91128 Palaiseau Cedex, France.
Abstract:
Poly-4-vinylpyridine grafted poly(vinylidene difluoride) (P4VP-g-PVDF) nanoporous polymer electrodes were found to be sensitive for Hg(II) analysis. The fabrication and characterization of functionalized nanoporous membrane-electrodes by FESEM and FTIR are presented. Functionalized nanopore charge state versus a large range of pH (1-10) was investigated by registering the streaming potential. This isoelectric point is achieved at the pKa of P4VP (pH = 5). Mercury adsorption at solid-liquid interface obeys a Langmuir law. A protocol for accurate Hg(II) analysis at ppb level was established. Calibration curves were performed and different real water samples (mineral water, ground water, surface water) were spiked and analyzed. The resulting sensor is intended to be integrated into existing systems or used standalone as portable devices. A first generation prototype exhibiting its own integrated potentiostat, its software and set of membrane-electrode pads is presented.
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