Lead toxicity and lead poisoning present a global health challenge that is particularly significant in low resource regions. There is a need for the development of reliable, robust, inexpensive, and portable lead sensors. We report a novel method focused on creating inexpensive fluorophore-doped thin films capable of quenchiometric lead quantification using a 3D printed flow cell. In this method, common, non-toxic fluorophores, such as fluorescein, are integrated into a sol-gel thin-film designed to detect heavy metals in aqueous solutions directly. We present preliminary results from thin-film formulation studies and hyperspectral fluorescence microscopy/lead quenching experiments, detailing the development of an optimized thin film that is robust and shows promise for portable detection. Ongoing research includes determining analytical figures of merit and integrating them into an inexpensive, portable fluorometric device for point-of-use detection.

Fluorescent thin films for portable detection of aqueous lead

ACS Spring 2022

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