Waterproof Cellulose-Based Substrates for In-Drop Plasmonic Colorimetric Sensing of Volatiles: Application to
Nerea Villarino1, Francisco Pena-Pereira1, Isela Lavilla1
1Centro de Investigación Mariña, Universidade de Vigo, Departamento de Química Analítica e alimentaria, Grupo QA2, Edificio CC Experimentais, Campus de Vigo, As Lagoas, Marcosende, 36310 Vigo, Spain.
ACS Sensors
|March 14, 2022
Summary
Waterproof cellulose substrates enable sensitive, integrated smartphone colorimetric sensing. These platforms, particularly Whatman 1PS, facilitate the detection of various analytes including sulfide in environmental water samples.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Development of sensitive and cost-effective analytical platforms is crucial for environmental monitoring.
- Existing microextraction techniques often involve complex procedures and multiple steps.
- Cellulose-based materials offer potential as sustainable and versatile substrates for analytical applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate waterproof cellulose-based substrates for in-drop plasmonic sensing.
- To assess the stability and sensing capabilities of metallic nanoparticles (NPs) on these substrates.
- To develop an integrated smartphone-based colorimetric assay for environmental water analysis.
Main Methods:
- Assessment of Whatman 1PS, polyethylene-coated filter paper, and tracing paper as substrate holders.
- Evaluation of spherical, rod-shaped, and core-shell metallic NPs (Au@AgNPs, AuNRs) for stability and sensing.
- Development and validation of a smartphone-based colorimetric assay for acid-labile sulfide detection.
Main Results:
- Waterproof cellulose substrates are convenient platforms for in-situ volatile generation and syringeless drop exposure.
- Au@AgNPs demonstrated potential for detecting H₂S, I₂, and Br₂, while AuNRs showed promise for I₂, Br₂, and Hg⁰.
- The developed assay for sulfide in environmental water samples achieved a limit of detection of 0.46 μM with good repeatability and recovery.
Conclusions:
- Waterproof cellulose-based substrates are highly suitable for integrated, smartphone-based colorimetric sensing.
- Metallic nanoparticles, particularly Au@AgNPs, exhibit excellent performance on these substrates for detecting specific analytes.
- The proposed method offers a sensitive, repeatable, and accurate approach for analyzing environmental water samples.
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