Colorimetric determination of copper(II) by using branched-polyethylenimine droplet evaporation on a superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic micropatterned surface

A colorimetric method is described for the determination of Cu(II). It is based on branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) droplet evaporation on a superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic polystyrene micropatterned surface. Exposure to Cu(II) leads to a color change from colorless to light blue and dark blue. The micropatterned surface was fabricated via combining electrospinning with oxygen plasma and served as a detection substrate. Analysis requires only a single drop of blood. The method has a linear response in the 5.0 μM to 2.5 mM Cu(II) concentration range which is within the physiological range (15.7 ∼ 23.6 μM). Compared to an assay in solution, the detection limit is decreased from 386 nM to 89 nM. Excellent selectivity over other metal ions and anions was achieved. Graphical abstract A rapid and sensitive colorimetric detection platform for Cu(II) was fabricated by using branched-polyethylenimine droplet evaporation on a superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic micropatterned surface. Only a single drop of blood was needed for the analysis. The sensitivity was improved about 4.3 times.