A molecular imprinted polymer based sensor for measuring phosphate in wastewater samples

Abstract

Phosphate detection in water samples is still completed using colorimetric standard methods, which have a number of disadvantages, to such as being time consuming, requiring filtration, a number of different reagents, frequent calibration and proper disposal of waste chemicals generated. Hence, a simple cost effective analytical method and instrumentation is highly desirable to aid the optimisation of treatment processes and assist the water industry in their efforts to comply with stringent regulations such as the EU's Water Framework Directive. A sensor based on molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) and a conductance transducer was developed for direct and label-free detection of phosphate in water. The sensor was able to measure the presence of phosphate in wastewater samples with good reproducibility, a linear range of 0.66-8 mg P L(-1) and a lower detection limit of 0.16 mg P L(-1). The sensor was further tested to measure phosphate concentrations in unfiltered field samples such as domestic wastewater treatment influent and river water and demonstrated a close correlation with reference measurements. The phosphate MIP sensor offers a way forward as either a handheld sensor for use in the field, or as a potential solution for remote, continuous monitoring of phosphate.

Highly selective and sensitive phosphate anion sensors based on AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors functionalized by ion imprinted polymer

“…where σ is the standard deviation got from current method used in this experiment and m is the slope of calibration line. The detection limit is 1.97 μg L −1 , which is better than the reported detection limits of 0.16 mg L −1 and 18.8 μg L −1 by Christopher 48 and Gong 49 , respectively.…”

“…The detection limit is 1.97 μg L −1 , which is better than the reported detection limits of 0.16 mg L −1 and 18.8 μg L −1 by Christopher48 and Gong49, respectively.…”

Real-Time Water Quality Monitoring with Chemical Sensors

“…For example, Warwick et al reported a detection system based on MIPs combined with conductometric transducer for monitoring phosphates in environmental water samples [ 35 ]. Previous studies demonstrated that N-allylthiourea was the appropriate monomer for phosphate recognition [ 36 ]. The thiourea-based MIP was first optimized in terms of the optimal cross-linking monomer and ideal ratio of functional monomer to template (phenylphosphonic acid).…”

Assessment of molecularly imprinted polymers as phosphate sorbents

“…Imprinting such a template will thus result in small cavities. Therefore, it was deemed that shortest cross-linkers, such as EGDMA and bisacrylamide, would likely be more appropriate to enhance the rigidity of the polymeric matrix and uphold the integrity of the recognition sites (Warwick et al, 2014b).…”