Flexible Superwettable Tapes for On-Site Detection of Heavy Metals

Anal Chem. 2018 Dec 18;90(24):14105-14110. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04536. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Abstract

Bioinspired superwettable micropatterns that combine superhydrophobicity and superhydrophilicity have been proved to exhibit outstanding capacity in controlling and patterning microdroplets and possessed new functionalities and possibilities in emerging sensing applications. Here, we introduce a flexible tape-based superhydrophilic-superhydrophobic tape toward on-site heavy metals monitoring. On such a superwettable tape, capillarity-assisted superhydrophilic microwells allow directly anchoring indicators in fixed locations and sampling into a test zone via simple dip-pull from an origin specimen solution. In contrast, the superhydrophobic substrate could confine the microdroplets in the superhydrophilic microwells for reducing the amount of analytical solution. The tape-based microchip also displays excellent flexibility against stretching, bending, and torquing for expanding wearable and portable sensing devices. Qualitative and quantitative colorimetric assessments of multiplex heavy metal analyses (chromium, copper, and nickel) by the naked eye are also achieved. The superwettable tape-based platforms with a facile operation mode and accessible signal read-out represent unrevealed potential for on-site environmental monitoring.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromium / analysis
  • Colorimetry / methods*
  • Copper / analysis
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Metals, Heavy / analysis*
  • Nickel / analysis
  • Time-Lapse Imaging

Substances

  • Metals, Heavy
  • Chromium
  • Copper
  • Nickel