A 4D-printed, magnetically actuated automated solid-phase extraction device coupled with ICP-MS for multiple trace...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Stimuli-responsive devices are crucial for advanced analytical applications.
• Four-dimensional (4D) printing offers novel fabrication methods for complex devices.
• Solid-phase extraction (SPE) is a key technique for sample preconcentration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an all-in-one, stimuli-responsive SPE device using 4D printing.
• To automate trace metal analysis through an integrated SPE system.
• To demonstrate the device's capability for determining multiple heavy metal ions.

Main Methods:

• Utilized multi-material fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing.
• Incorporated iron(II,III) oxide nanoparticles in polylactic acid (PLA) filaments.
• Designed a thermo-magnetically actuated switching valve system for fluid control.

Main Results:

• Fabricated a 4D-printed SPE device with integrated monolithic packing and magnetic valves.
• Achieved automated SPE coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
• Determined trace metal ions (Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb) with detection limits of 0.3–2.8 ng/L.

Conclusions:

• 4D printing enables the creation of effective thermo-magneto-responsive analytical devices.
• The developed SPE system enhances the practical application of conventional SPE for trace metal analysis.
• Validated the method using certified reference materials and real-world environmental and biological samples.