Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a new method to detect harmful metals in living cells and the environment using perovskite nanocrystals. These nanocrystals, one-lakhth smaller than a human hair, are highly responsive to light and can interact with it in significant ways, making them ideal for detecting metal ions. Previously, their quick degradation in water had limited their applications, but encapsulating them in silica and polymer coatings has enhanced their stability and luminescent intensity. The enhanced nanocrystals emit a bright green light under specific wavelengths, enabling precise detection of mercury ions, which are hazardous even in minute concentrations. The detection sensitivity is remarkable, able to detect mercury levels as low as a few nanomolar concentrations. Moreover, the nanocrystals were found to be non-toxic and preserved cell function while monitoring mercury ions in live mammalian cells. The potential applications of this research extend beyond mercury detection, with possibilities for identifying other toxic metals and adapting them for drug delivery.
IIT-Guwahati creates cutting-edge nanomaterial for in-vivo mercury detection.
