AMOLF researchers (A Dutch Research Organization) have used the special properties of perovskite semiconductors to develop a simple spray test to demonstrate the presence of lead.
Perovskite is a material suitable for use in LEDs and solar cells, for example. A lead-containing surface shines bright green when it is sprayed with the test. This test is 1,000 times more sensitive than existing tests and the researchers found no false positive or false negative results.
A couple of years ago, the group developed a two-step process to transform a calcium structure, such as the skeleton of a sea urchin, into a semiconductor. The calcium carbonate in the skeleton then reacts and changes into a lead perovskite, a semiconducting material that emits light under a UV lamp.
The group has discovered that a methyl ammonium bromide solution works best. As soon as this solution comes into contact with a lead compound, it immediately forms a lead perovskite, which lights up bright green under UV light.
Lead detection spray on a plate.
Perovskite is a material suitable for use in LEDs and solar cells, for example. A lead-containing surface shines bright green when it is sprayed with the test. This test is 1,000 times more sensitive than existing tests and the researchers found no false positive or false negative results.
A couple of years ago, the group developed a two-step process to transform a calcium structure, such as the skeleton of a sea urchin, into a semiconductor. The calcium carbonate in the skeleton then reacts and changes into a lead perovskite, a semiconducting material that emits light under a UV lamp.
The group has discovered that a methyl ammonium bromide solution works best. As soon as this solution comes into contact with a lead compound, it immediately forms a lead perovskite, which lights up bright green under UV light.
Lead detection spray on a plate.
