Polydiacetylene (PDA) coated paper-based fluorescence sensor for the detection and quantification of bisphenol

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine-disrupting contaminant found in various environmental and biological samples.
• BPA's interference with estrogen receptors raises significant public health concerns.
• Existing BPA detection methods can be complex and costly.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel, portable sensor for rapid and sensitive detection of Bisphenol A.
• To utilize a polydiacetylene (PDA) dye for colorimetric and fluorescence-based BPA quantification.
• To enable on-site BPA monitoring in environmental and medical applications.

Main Methods:

• A paper-based sensor was fabricated by coating filter paper with a polydiacetylene (PDA) dye.
• The sensor's response to BPA was characterized using FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, and microscopy.
• Colorimetric and fluorescence changes were correlated with BPA concentration using digital image analysis and fluorescence intensity measurements.

Main Results:

• The PDA-coated sensor exhibited a distinct, concentration-dependent color change from blue to red upon exposure to BPA.
• Hydrogen bonding between BPA's hydroxyl groups and PDA's carboxylic acid groups drove the observed responses.
• A highly linear calibration curve (R² = 0.99) was achieved, enabling dual-mode (colorimetric and fluorescence) detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed sensor provides a rapid, cost-effective, and sensitive method for BPA detection.
• This portable sensor overcomes limitations of traditional assays for on-site BPA monitoring.
• The technology offers a promising tool for enhanced public health protection against BPA exposure.