A beryllium-selective microcantilever sensor modified with benzo-9-crown-3 functionalized polymer brushes

Benzo-9-crown-3 functionalized polymer brushes were prepared via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization on the gold surface of microcantilevers for the selective detection of Be2+. Other metal ions, such as Li+, Na+, K+, Mg2+ and Ca2+, have minimal effect on the deflection response of the microcantilevers. The microcantilever sensor exhibits high sensitivity for beryllium ions with a limit of detection (LOD) as low as 10−10 M. The mechanism of bending is discussed as well.