New sensor detects chemicals that impair thyroid gland

February 02, 2024

In a study conducted at the University of Twente, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and the Open University of Israel, researchers have developed a novel approach to address the environmental challenges posed by perchlorate salts, which have been identified as persistent pollutants with potential impacts on human health.
Perchlorate salts are a type of anion—slightly negatively charged molecules—which have raised concerns due to their ability to interfere with the proper functioning of the thyroid gland, leading to hypothyroidism. These molecules are highly soluble in water, but difficult to detect.

Here are some CAS numbers for perchlorate salts:
Sodium perchlorate: 7601-89-0
Sodium perchlorate monohydrate: 7791-07-3
Potassium perchlorate: 7778-74-7

Therefore the researchers worked on developing a new material that can bind these perchlorate salts and send out a signal when they are detected.
The researchers used a special anion receptor molecule that binds to a gold surface. They tried different side chains and found one that efficiently binds to perchlorate salts and detects them in various environments.
Besides the high selectivity towards perchlorates, the sensory device can be reused multiple times with potentially continuous, real-time perchlorate monitoring under flow conditions. As the researchers continue their work, they aim to broaden the scope of these sensing molecules, developing more selective and sensitive anion sensors.

University of Twente (UT)

The University of Twente is a public technical university located in Enschede, Netherlands. The university has been placed in the top 170 universities in the world by multiple central ranking tables.

Technion - Israel Institute of Technology

The Technion – Israel Institute of Technology is a public research university located in Haifa, Israel. Established in 1912 under the dominion of the Ottoman Empire, the Technion is the oldest university in the country.

The Open University of Israel

The Open University of Israel is the largest university in Israel, educating over 53,500 students on its state-of-the-art online higher education.

From：phys.org