B.I.Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus offers consumers a highly sensitive method for the determination of heavy metals using Raman spectroscopy under a commercial agreement with technical assistance and is looking for partners interested in a technical cooperation agreement.

Among the various pollutants, metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, arsenic, antimony and their compounds are quite common. They are characterized by high toxicity, since many of them have the ability to accumulate in living organisms. For example, dust and antimony vapors cause nosebleeds, antimony "foundry fever", pneumosclerosis, affect the skin, and disrupt sexual functions. Thus, the development of simple, reliable and highly sensitive methods for detecting small amounts of metal is still an important task.

Currently, photometric methods are used to determine metal content, but they have low sensitivity and insufficient selectivity.

B.I.Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus developed a highly sensitive method for the determination of heavy metals using Raman spectroscopy. The method is based on analyzing the intensity of lines of giant combined scattering with an organic reagent.

The method for determining metal ions in solution using Raman spectroscopy is as follows: a complexing organic dye is added to the solution; after the formation of a complex of metal ions with an organic dye, a solid-state active substrate is added to the solution, providing a giant Raman scattering effect to amplify the optical signal; maintain the time required for the adsorption of the analyte on the surface of the active substrate, which is 1.5-2 hours; than the active substrate is dried in air; the resulting sample is placed in the measuring compartment of a Raman spectrometer; light radiation fr om a laser excitation source is directed onto the sample; light scattered by the active substrate is collected by an optical system and sent to the recording system of the spectrometer; obtain a giant Raman spectrum; analyze it for the presence of lines attributed to vibrations of the complex of metal ions with an organic dye, the intensity of which determines the number of metal ions in the solution.

The method has high sensitivity (up to 10 picograms) and selectivity, which is achieved due to the characteristic nature of the vibrational spectrum, as well as resonant excitation conditions.

Determination of antimony content using this method:


Specifications:

Antimony detection lim it, picograms	10
Sample volume, µl	10

Application areas: environmental monitoring and control of the content of a number of heavy metals in solutions (drinking water, waste water and industrial waste), as well as in washes or scrapings from hard surfaces (clothing, body parts, walls and floors of premises).

The B.I.Stepanov Institute of Physics offers partners and R&D organizations:
* as part of a commercial agreement with technical assistance, the acquisition of a highly sensitive method for the determination of heavy metals using Raman spectroscopy;
* within the framework of an agreement on technical cooperation, the joint development of a highly sensitive method for the determination of heavy metals using Raman spectroscopy.

Catalogue of Developments & Services of «B.I. Stepanov Institute of Physics» 2022, p.47.

The developed method makes it possible to determine the content of heavy metals at a level of 10 pg, which is several times higher than the sensitivity of the standard photometric method (≥ 10 ng).

Patent of Republic of Belarus № 16916 dated 28.02.2013
Patent of Russian Federation № 2460060 dated 27.08.2012

The directions of scientific research and development of the B.I.Stepanov Institute of Physics are currently:
* Laser physics, development and creation of laser systems and technologies for medicine, ecology, industry, metrology and information protection;
* Physical and nonlinear optics, the disclosure and use of the patterns of propagation of high-power laser radiation in various media;
* Optical spectroscopy, development and application of methods and instruments for studying the properties and structure of various materials, including biotissues;
* Nanooptics and Nanomaterials;
* Quantum optics, investigation of quantum properties of electromagnetic radiation in computer science and cryptography;
* Investigation of the structure and properties of atomic-molecular structures and the creation of new optical materials, systems, instruments and technologies on this base;
* Plasma physics and plasma technologies: investigation of the plasma interaction with fields and matter; development and application of methods for plasma diagnostics, development of technological applications of gas-discharge and laser plasma
* Micro- and optoelectronics: LED technology, solar cells, microwave technology, microelectromechanical and sensor systems and devices;
* Physics of Fundamental Interactions and Nuclear Reactions - Investigating the Structure of the Microcosm and the Universe.

The B.I. Stepanov Institute of Physics of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has scientific contacts with many countries. At present, more than 50 agreements on scientific and technical cooperation have been signed with organizations from 15 countries.

The Institute develops, manufactures and supplies laser and optical instruments for various purposes, as well as innovative components for laser technology, to many countries of the world (Russia, China, Germany, France, the United States, Saudi Arabia, India, etc.).

Consumers interested in purchasing a highly sensitive method for the determination of heavy metals using Raman spectroscopy under a commercial agreement with technical assistance.

Partners interested in developing a highly sensitive method for the determination of heavy metals using Raman spectroscopy under a technical cooperation agreement.