Electrospun nanofibers decorated with bio-sonochemically synthesized gold nanoparticles as an ultrasensitive probe in amalgam-based mercury (II) detection system.

See more Mercury products. Mercury (atomic symbol: Hg, atomic number: 80) is a Block D, Group 12, Period 6 element with an atomic weight of 200.59. The number of electrons in each of mercury's shells is 2, 8, 18,32, 18, 2 and its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f¹⁴ 5d¹⁰ 6s². The mercury atom has a radius of 151 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 209 pm. It is named after the planet Mercury and often referred to as "quicksilver" due to its appearance as a silvery liquid. Mercury has low melting and boiling points. It is a poor conductor of heat, but a fair conductor of electricity. Mercury is found both as a free element and in cinnabar, corderoite, and livingstonite ores.

See more Gold products. Gold (atomic symbol: Au, atomic number: 79) is a Block D, Group 11, Period 6 element with an atomic weight of 196.966569. The number of electrons in each of Gold's shells is 2, 8, 18, 32, 18, 1 and its electron configuration is [Xe]4f¹⁴² 5d¹⁰ 6s¹. The gold atom has a radius of 144 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 217 pm. Gold was first discovered by Early Man prior to 6000 B.C. In its elemental form, gold has a metallic yellow appearance. Gold is a soft metal and is usually alloyed to give it more strength. It is a good conductor of heat and electricity, and is unaffected by air and most reagents. It is one of the least reactive chemical elements. Gold is often found as a free element and with silver as a gold-silver alloy. Less commonly, it is found in minerals as gold compounds, usually with tellurium.