Electrochemical Detection of Metal Ions in Water Using a Six-Electrode Microfluidic Device

To be able to monitor concentration of hazardous metal ions in the environment using a simple, quick, and cost effective method is of great importance. Current standard methods such as, inductively coupled plasma and atomic absorption spectroscopy, are highly expensive and not convenient for field applications. A new device is proposed that has the potential of determining the presence of trace metals simultaneously in water using 6 gold electrodes deposited on a glass substrate in combination with an electrochemical method known as differential pulse stripping voltammetry. Microfluidic channels are incorporated into the device allowing solutions individual access to each electrode, while maintaining the option for testing bulk solutions on all electrodes at once. The device has proven effective at determining lead and cadmium ions simultaneously at sub parts per million concentrations, and has the capability to reach parts per billion. The ability to detect other metal ions such as zinc, chromium, nickel, and copper will be incorporated and tested using modifications to the surface of the gold electrodes. Thus providing a new method for quick and cost effective monitoring of water samples for multiple hazardous metal ions simultaneously