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Nafion-based optical sensor for the determination of selenium in water samples
Lilibeth Dlc Coo1, Imee Su Martinez
1Institute of Chemistry, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101 Philippines.
Talanta
|October 31, 2008
Summary
A new optical sensor effectively detects selenium (SeO(3)(2-)) in water. This flow injection method using variamine blue offers a reliable tool for remote and in situ water quality analysis.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Sensor Technology
Background:
- Selenium (SeO(3)(2-)) is a critical element in water quality.
- Accurate and accessible detection methods for selenium are needed.
- Existing methods may not be suitable for remote or in situ analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an optical chemical sensor for selenium detection in water.
- To utilize a nafion membrane suffused with variamine blue (VB) as the sensor matrix.
- To establish a flow injection (FI) analysis method for selenium determination.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of an optical sensor using a nafion membrane and variamine blue.
- Integration of the sensor into a flow-through cell connected to a spectrophotometer.
- Development of a flow injection (FI) method involving reaction of selenite with potassium iodide and variamine blue.
Main Results:
- The developed optrode demonstrated effectiveness in analyzing selenium content in water samples.
- The method is particularly suitable for remote or in situ applications.
- Interference studies confirmed the method's specificity, showing no intervention from tested ions.
Conclusions:
- The optical chemical sensor provides an effective means for selenium detection in water.
- The flow injection method with variamine blue offers a robust analytical tool.
- This technology supports reliable water quality monitoring, especially in field conditions.
