TEHRAN, Jul. 23 (MNA) – Iranian and Italian researchers used silver nanoparticles to produce nanosensors capable of quickly detecting nitrate ions in water, which are among the potential causes of cancer.


According to Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council (INIC), Iranian researchers from Shiraz University in association with their counterparts from an Italian university used silver nanoparticles to produce nanosensors capable of quickly detecting nitrate ions in water.

Among the most important advantages of these sensors in comparison with similar models, one can mention the reasonable price, high detection rate and less pollution. The sensors have applications in water treatment units, hospitals and houses.

Nitrate ions in water are among the potential causes of cancer and other diseases and they may pollute water due to their high solubility. The presence of these ions in body higher than a determined amount can be one of the causes of bladder and gastric cancer. Therefore, it is important to detect whether drinking water or food is contaminated by these hazardous ions.

The aim of this research was to design an appropriate sensor by using silver nanoparticles to quickly detect nitrate ions in water. Samples of a nanocomposite were designed in this regard and their performances were analyzed in detection and measurement of silver ions in water.

Based on results of the tests carried out on the designed nanocomposite sensors, the detection of nitrate ions in water has been improved due to the increase in the specific area because of the presence of silver nanoparticles. It means the sensors have a higher efficiency and they reduce operational costs in comparison with the usual electrochemical sensors.

One of the researchers elaborated on the mechanism and performance of these sensors, and said, “silver nanoparticles were firstly put in poly(methacrylic acid), which is a very inexpensive and biocompatible poly acid. Then, AgNPs/PMA nanocomposites were formed by using UV.”

Results of the research have been published in Measurement, vol. 84, 2016, pp. 83-90.

By Mehr News Agency