Issue 13, 2015

Development of a low cost microfluidic sensor for the direct determination of nitrate using chromotropic acid in natural waters

Abstract

Progress towards the development of a miniaturised microfluidic instrument for the direct measurement of nitrate in natural waters and wastewater using chromotropic acid is presented. For the first time, the chromotropic method for nitrate analysis has been transferred to a microfluidic chip configuration that can withstand the extremely acidic nature of the reagent within a field deployable platform. This simple method employs one reagent mixed in a 1 : 1 ratio with the sample to produce a yellow colour absorbing strongly at 430 nm. A stopped flow approach is used which, together with the very rapid kinetics and simple reagent stream, enables an uncomplicated microfluidic design and field deployable platform with a sample throughput of 9 samples per h, limits of detection of 0.70 mg L−1 NO3 and 0.31 mg L−1 NO3 for seawater samples, with a dynamic linear range from 0–80 mg L−1 NO3 and long-term reagent stability of up to 6 months. Validation was achieved by analysing split water samples by the analyser and ion chromatography, resulting in an excellent correlation co-efficient of 0.9969. The fully integrated sensing platform consists of a sample inlet with filter, storage units for chromotropic reagent and standards for self-calibration, pumping system which controls the transport and mixing of the sample, a microfluidic mixing and detection chip, and waste storage, all contained within a ruggedized, waterproof housing. The optical detection system consists of a LED light source with a photodiode detector, which enables sensitive detection of the coloured complex formed. The low cost of the platform coupled with integrated wireless communication makes it an ideal platform for in situ environmental monitoring.

Graphical abstract: Development of a low cost microfluidic sensor for the direct determination of nitrate using chromotropic acid in natural waters

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 май 2015
Accepted
08 июн 2015
First published
09 июн 2015

Anal. Methods, 2015,7, 5396-5405

Author version available

Development of a low cost microfluidic sensor for the direct determination of nitrate using chromotropic acid in natural waters

D. Cogan, C. Fay, D. Boyle, C. Osborne, N. Kent, J. Cleary and D. Diamond, Anal. Methods, 2015, 7, 5396 DOI: 10.1039/C5AY01357G

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