A miniaturized analytical system with packed epoxy-functionalized mesoporous organosilica for copper determination
Mohammad Mahdi Khataei1, Yadollah Yamini2, Monireh Karami1
1Department of Chemistry, Tarbiat Modares University, P.O. Box 14115-175, Tehran, Iran.
Mikrochimica Acta
|July 13, 2023
Summary
This study presents a smartphone-based method for determining copper ions using a microfluidic device and periodic mesoporous organosilica. The system offers sensitive and precise copper analysis in water samples, comparable to ICP-AES.
Area of Science:
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Accurate determination of copper ions is crucial for environmental monitoring and public health.
- Traditional methods for copper analysis can be complex and require specialized laboratory equipment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a portable and sensitive method for copper ion determination using smartphone technology.
- To preconcentrate copper ions using a microfluidic system packed with periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO).
- To analyze the colorimetric changes associated with copper complex formation using RGB analysis.
Main Methods:
- A microfluidic mixer was coupled with a micro-column packed with PMO material for copper preconcentration.
- Copper ions were reduced to Cu(I) and complexed with neocuproine on-chip.
- A novel Android application analyzed RGB components of images to quantify the color change.
- Optimization of parameters affecting complex extraction efficiency was performed.
Main Results:
- The developed method achieved a limit of detection of 0.2 μg L⁻¹ and a limit of quantification of 0.5 μg L⁻¹.
- High accuracy (>92% recovery) and precision (<5.2% RSD) were demonstrated.
- The smartphone-based method exhibited higher sensitivity and precision compared to ICP-AES.
- Analysis of real water samples showed no significant difference compared to ICP-AES.
Conclusions:
- The smartphone-assisted microfluidic system provides a sensitive, precise, and portable platform for copper ion determination.
- This method offers a viable alternative to conventional analytical techniques for on-site water quality monitoring.
- The use of PMO materials and RGB analysis enables efficient and selective copper detection.
