Smart phone assisted detection and quantification of cyanide in drinking water by paper based sensing platform

Abstract

An organometallic dye, europium tetrakis dibenzoylmethide triethylammonium (EuD4TEA) and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) impregnated paper based sensor platform have been utilized for development of fluorescence turn-on cyanide assay in aqueous media. The ordinary filter paper with 6 μ m pore size were employed as solid support that facilitates impregnation of EuD4TEA and gold nanoparticles and provides durability. Detection mechanism relying on two processes (i) dissolution of gold nanoparticles causing fluorescence recovery and (ii) ligand exchange of triethyl amine with CN group stimulating cyanide specific fluorescence enhancement. The paper platform exhibit naked eye distinguishable color transition upon CN− addition from 10−2 to 10−12 M. To standardize the methodology a homemade image processing algorithm has been developed that enabling calibration of color change and quantify CN− concentration. The described algorithm is applicable to Android smart phones and facilitate transforming these devices into a quantitative cyanide detector. The overall methodology provides instrument free cyanide detection and therefore rapid control of water quality and safety at off-field conditions.