This research is focused the development of a lateral flow assay (LFA) to be used in the detection of lead(II) in drinking water. The LFA is designed to replace expensive analytical techniques such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) and be used directly in homes. The detection of lead(II) is based on a colorimetric response observed on the LFA. The control line and the lead(II) detection line are the two main components of the LFA. A negative test result will cause the control line to turn blue while the lead(II) line does not change. A positive response will cause the lead(II) line to change to orange, and the control line will again change blue. The detection of lead(II) is made possible by the synthesis of a phenanthroline-based probe specific for lead(II) and encapsulated in poly(styrene-co-maleic-acid) nanoparticles. DLS was used to analyze the hydrodynamic diameter and polydispersity index of the synthesized nanoparticles. These results indicated the size and stability of the nanoparticles. UV-Vis spectroscopy was used to analyze the sensitivity and selectivity of the lead(II) detecting nanoparticles. For the sensitivity studies, various concentrations of lead(II) were reacted with the nanoparticles, the absorbance measured and the LOD determined. Common metals found in tap water such as Ca<sup>2+</sup> and Mg<sup>2+</sup> were reacted with the nanoparticles for the sensitivity study. The wavelength of absorbance observed for the detection of lead(II) was monitored to see if any of the various metals tested resulted in a colorimetric response. Future work will be focused on optimizing the incorporation of the nanoparticles onto the LFA. We expect the synthesized nanoparticles to bind through hydrophilic properties to the nitrocellulose paper of the LFA resulting in a simple, inexpensive test for lead(II) in drinking water.

Detection of lead(II) in drinking water using colorimetric nanoparticles in a simple lateral flow assay design

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.