Nanotechnology research wins international recognition

Research by University of Brighton scientists on the use of nanotechnology to decontaminate mercury-contaminated water has been highlighted by the world's leading science publication.

The research led by Dr Kseniia Katok in the Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Group was highlighted in the Editor's Choice section of the prestigious Science magazine on 17 February. Science is published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science.


It has been hailed as a paradigm shift in scientists' understanding of chemistry since it is generally accepted that when silver is reduced to atom size using nanotechnology, it can only absorb a certain amount of mercury. However, Dr Katok, a European Marie Curie International Incoming Fellow, was able to reduce the nanoparticles of silver to below 35 nano-metres in diameter and found that this allowed almost twice as much mercury to be absorbed.


The breakthrough opens the way for more effective, cheaper ways of cleaning mercury -contaminated water. Existing clean-up methods for mercury-polluted water either have either low mercury removal capabilities, leave a large chemical waste footprint or are not energy efficient.