Smartphone-Based Rapid Quantitative Detection Platform with Imprinted Polymer for Pb (II) Detection in Real Samples

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Accurate quantification of lead ions (Pb²⁺) in aqueous samples is crucial for environmental and public health monitoring.
• Existing methods for lead detection can be expensive, time-consuming, and require specialized laboratory equipment.
• Development of portable and cost-effective analytical tools is needed for rapid on-site water quality assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate an efficient smartphone-based colorimetric sensor for the quantification of lead ions (Pb²⁺) in aqueous samples.
• To utilize an imprinted polymer (IIP) as a recognition element within the colorimetric sensing platform.
• To establish the performance characteristics and applicability of the developed sensor for real-world lead monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of a novel imprinted polymer (IIP) using rhodizonate, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS), N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide (MBA), and potassium persulfate (KPS).
• Design of a smartphone-based colorimetric device with a controlled black box for repeatable image acquisition.
• Quantification of Pb²⁺ by capturing smartphone images of the IIP exposed to lead solutions and analyzing color channel values (RGB, YMK HSVI) using PLS multivariate regression.

Main Results:

• The developed IIP-based smartphone sensor demonstrated a reliable working range of 0-10 mg L^-1 for Pb²⁺ quantification.
• A low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.215 mg L^-1 and a high coefficient of determination (R² = 0.998) were achieved.
• The sensor exhibited good applicability in real samples, with a coefficient of variation (% RSD) below 9%, comparable to ICP-MS.

Conclusions:

• The smartphone-based colorimetric sensor utilizing imprinted polymers is a highly effective and reliable tool for on-site Pb²⁺ quantification.
• This technology offers a cost-effective and accessible alternative for environmental monitoring of lead contamination.
• The developed method facilitates rapid and accurate lead detection, contributing to improved water quality management and public health protection.