Three-dimensional paper-based microfluidic chip device for multiplexed fluorescence detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions based on ion imprinting technology

In this study, a novel three-dimensional (3D) origami ion imprinted polymers microfluidic paper-based chip device for specific, sensitive and multiplexed detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions has been proposed. In this device, the surface of the paper was activated by grafting with CdTe QDs through amino processing and formation of Cu2+ or Hg2+ IIPs and CdTe QDs complex that led to fluorescence quenching of QDs because the photo luminescent energy of QDs could be delivered to the complex. This method can realize the liquid phase of QDs@IIPs being transferred to the solid glass fiber paper and improve the portability of the device. Moreover, this platform allows to simultaneous detection of Cu2+ and Hg2+ ions with good selectivity and sensitivity. The proposed method reveals that the copper ion imprinted fluorescent sensor demonstrated a good linearity from 0.11 to 58.0 μg/L with the detection limit of 0.035 μg/L and the mercury ion linear range is 0.26–34.0 μg/L with detection limit of 0.056 μg/L. Importantly, this device can provide quantitative information conveniently and show great potential to be further extended to the detection of other metal ions for environmental monitoring and food safety field.