Optimization of smartphone-based on-site-capable uranium analysis in water using a 3D printed microdevice

Recent development of portable three-dimensional printed (3DP) microfluidic-based devices has provided a new horizon for real-time field analysis of environmental pollutants. Smartphones with the possibility of launching different software, sensing, and grading color intensity, as well as capability of sending/receiving data through the internet have made this technology very promising. Here, a novel smartphone-based 3DP microfluidic device is reported that uses an image-based colorimetric detection method for the analysis of uranium in water samples, based on the complex formation of uranyl ions with Arsenazo III. The microfluidic device consists of two horizontal channels, separated by an integrated porous membrane, and was printed in a single run using a transparent photopolymer. It enables the operator to see the internal parts and the color change visually, as well as enables the operator to take images and record the color intensity using a smartphone. In each 3DP run, 220 devices are fabricated in 1.5 h (similar to 25 s per device) at an estimated price of $2.5 per device. A Box-Behnken design (BBD) was utilized for the optimization of experimental conditions. The calibration curve was linear within 0.5-100 mu g mL(-1) (R-2 > 0.9925) of uranium analysis. The total time of each experiment was approximately 8 min. The 3DP device was successfully employed for the recovery and determination of uranium in spiked natural water samples.

Automated summary

The recent development of portable 3DP microfluidic devices, combined with smartphone capabilities, has shown great promise for real-time environmental pollutant analysis. These devices can be mass-produced in a short amount of time and have a linear calibration curve for uranium analysis, demonstrating high efficiency.