Use of universal 3D-Printed smartphone spectrophotometer to develop a time-based analysis for hypochlorite

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Spectrophotometry
• Mobile Sensing Technology

Background:

• Traditional spectrophotometers can be expensive and lack portability.
• The integration of mobile devices offers a pathway to develop low-cost analytical tools.
• 3D printing facilitates rapid prototyping and customization of scientific instrumentation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and construct a functional spectrophotometer using 3D printing technology.
• To evaluate the analytical performance of the smartphone-based spectrophotometer.
• To demonstrate the device's utility in analyzing chemical processes and developing field-deployable tests.

Main Methods:

• A 3D-printed spectrophotometer was fabricated, designed for compatibility with various smartphones.
• The device utilizes the smartphone's camera and display for spectral measurements.
• Analytical performance was assessed using crystal violet dye, and its degradation by sodium hypochlorite was monitored.

Main Results:

• The smartphone spectrophotometer demonstrated a proportional response for crystal violet concentrations from 0.06 to 15.0 mg L⁻¹.
• Excellent precision was observed, with intra-day variability of 1.0% and inter-day variability of 2.6%.
• A paper-based test for estimating sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) concentration in sanitation solutions was successfully developed.

Conclusions:

• The 3D-printed smartphone spectrophotometer is a simple, inexpensive, and versatile tool for laboratory applications.
• This technology has the potential to address analytical challenges in resource-limited settings.
• The device's compatibility with multiple smartphone platforms enhances its accessibility and broad applicability.