Confined chemiluminescence detection of nanomolar levels of H2O2 in a paper-plastic disposable microfluidic device using a smartphone

We report the design and characterization of a disposable light shielded paper-plastic microfluidic device that can detect nanomolar levels of H2O2 using a smartphone camera and a light sealed accessory. Chemiluminescence reaction of H2O2 with bis(2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) oxalate in the presence of rubrene and imidazole is confined to a paper reaction site where the individual reagents are delivered via plastic microfluidic channels. The net photon emission from the chemiluminescence reactions, detected by using a smartphone, is correlated with H2O2 concentrations. With a total reagent volume of 25 mu L, the sensor system was able to detect H2O2 concentrations as low as 250 nM. The smartphone based chemiluminescence sensing system has great potential as a point of care diagnostic tool for monitoring nanomolar levels of H2O2 in biological samples.