Validation of a smartphone-compatible MIP-based sensor for bisphenol A determination in wastewater samples

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is a common environmental pollutant found in wastewater.
• Accurate and accessible detection methods for BPA are crucial for environmental monitoring.
• Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer selective molecular recognition capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a handheld, smartphone-compatible sensor for bisphenol A (BPA) analysis.
• To design and optimize MIP-based sensing elements for enhanced BPA detection.
• To validate the sensor's performance in real-world wastewater samples.

Main Methods:

• Development of ethylene glycol methacrylate phosphate (EGMP)-containing MIP films.
• Optimization of MIP films using molecular dynamics simulations.
• In situ polymerization for synthesizing highly porous MIP films.
• Colorimetric detection based on the 4-aminoantipyrine method coupled with smartphone analysis.

Main Results:

• The MIP sensor demonstrated a wide linear detection range of 5 to 250 μM for BPA.
• A low limit of detection (LOD) of 5 μM was achieved (S/N=3).
• The sensor exhibited excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility.
• Successful detection of BPA in real wastewater samples with recovery rates of 87.1-114.6%.

Conclusions:

• A highly porous, smartphone-compatible MIP-based sensor for BPA detection in wastewater was successfully developed.
• The sensor offers a feasible, reliable, and selective analytical system for environmental monitoring.
• The developed technology shows significant potential for on-site and rapid BPA analysis.