Abstract

Sensing is an important emerging technology in the current industrial era. It covers a plethora of applications from medical personalized devices to aerospace oxygen level detectors. Of those applications, environmental and pharmaceutical sensors are significantly important. Specifically, electrochemical sensors are easy to use and develop besides being cost-effective and accurate. The work in this thesis concerns the development of two sensing platforms for the detection of Hg(II) as a water pollutant, and the detection of Lornoxicam (LOR) as a pharmaceutical compound. The materials fabricated were morphologically, structurally, and electrochemically characterized. They were also tested against their analytical targets in spiked and real sample media to ensure their utility, sensitivity and accuracy. The testing results were either in the sub-nano or the pico-molar levels, with high linear range. The materials were also examined to target the analyte species in separate and co-formulated media to assure their selectivity. Furthermore, the sensing platforms were repeatedly used to test their stability and reproducibility. Titania nanotubes/reduced graphene oxide (TNTs/RGO) showed an efficient sensibility of Hg(II) in the presence of Cu(II) and Mn(II) species with no significant interference for a wide range of concentrations. On the other hand, BaNb2O6 nanofibers showed an enhanced activity towards the electrocatalytic oxidation of Lornoxicam (LOR) and paracetamol (PAR), producing remarkably high oxidation currents. Wide linear dynamic ranges, high sensitivity, very low LOD, good reproducibility and repeatability, and high stability, together with simple procedures for surface modification and determination are the advantages of the prepared sensors.

Department

Nanotechnology Program

Degree Name

MS in Nanotechnology

Graduation Date

2-1-2019

Submission Date

January 2019

First Advisor

Allam, Nageh

Committee Member 1

Allam, Nageh

Committee Member 2

El-Sawy, Ehab

Extent

108 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

Comments

Al-Ghurair Foundation, STEM Scholarship (for tuition funding). AUC university fellowship (for tuition funding) School of Sciences and Engineering, AUC (for research funding)

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