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A poly(arylene ethynylene)-based microfluidic fluorescence sensor array for discrimination of polycyclic aromatic
Elham Ghohestani1, Javad Tashkhourian1, Hoda Sharifi1
1Department of Chemistry, Shiraz University, 719468 Shiraz, Iran. hemmatb@shirazu.ac.ir.
The Analyst
|August 23, 2022
Summary
This study introduces a low-cost, paper-based sensor for detecting polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The novel sensor utilizes fluorescent polymers and smartphone imaging for accurate PAH identification and quantification.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent environmental contaminants with known carcinogenic properties.
- Sensitive, low-cost detection methods for PAHs are crucial for environmental monitoring.
- Existing detection techniques can be expensive and time-consuming.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, paper-based microfluidic sensor for the rapid detection of PAHs.
- To utilize fluorescent poly(arylene ethynylene)s (PAEs) for PAH sensing.
- To enable low-cost and sensitive PAH monitoring.
Main Methods:
- A paper-based microfluidic device was fabricated using craft punch patterning to create multiple detection zones.
- Fluorescent poly(arylene ethynylene)s (PAEs) were immobilized within the detection zones.
- Changes in fluorescence were captured using a smartphone camera, and RGB values were extracted using ImageJ software.
- Principal Component Analysis and discrimination analysis (PCA-DA) were employed for PAH identification.
Main Results:
- The sensor successfully identified 10 different PAHs.
- 100% classification accuracy was achieved during model training.
- Cross-validation of the PCA-DA model yielded a 93% classification accuracy for analytes at 5.0 mg L-1.
Conclusions:
- The developed paper-based microfluidic sensor offers a simple, rapid, and cost-effective method for PAH detection.
- The sensor demonstrates high accuracy in identifying and classifying different PAHs.
- This technology holds promise for widespread environmental monitoring applications.
