Grantee Research Project Results
2021 Progress Report: A Biopolymer-based Simple Lead Check in Tap Water
EPA Grant Number: SV840021Title: A Biopolymer-based Simple Lead Check in Tap Water
Investigators: Lee, Woo Hyoung , Cho, Hyoung Jin , Hwang, Jae-Hoon
Current Investigators: Lee, Woo Hyoung
Institution: University of Central Florida
EPA Project Officer: Aja, Hayley
Phase: II
Project Period: July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2022 (Extended to June 30, 2023)
Project Period Covered by this Report: July 1, 2020 through June 30,2021
Project Amount: $75,000
RFA: P3 Awards: A National Student Design Competition for Sustainability Focusing on People, Prosperity and the Planet - Phase 2 (2020) Recipients Lists
Research Category: P3 Awards
Objective:
Although there is increasing demand for on-site monitoring of heavy metal ions in drinking water, traditional methods such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) often require large, expensive instruments, highly trained technicians, considerable time-consuming efforts, large volumes of reagents, and an invasive collection of samples in the field. The problems associated with the multitude of operational responses to on-site lead detection tools demonstrate a clear motivation for a solution that would lead to a simple lead check with less workforce needed, lower operational cost, and less analytical time and sample collection consuming effort. The primary object of the Phase II project is to develop a novel biopolymer-modified carbon sensor for the simple and rapid detection of lead in tap water. The main hypothesis of the project is that biopolymer (e.g., chitosan) structure would improve lead ion detection due to the sensitivity of amino (–NH2) and hydroxyl (–OH) groups in its molecular structure towards lead ions. We focus on the roll-to-roll fabrication for stable sensor productivity and a universal wireless electrochemical detector (UWED) process for in-situ lead detection in real environments. This project established and advanced fundamentals associated with a vision of conservation of our water quality measurement using an innovative microsensor that could help in situ monitoring in the field (e.g., house plumbing systems). The specific objectives of the Phase II project are:
- Fabricate chitosan modified screen-printed carbon electrode using the electro-deposition method.
- Use developed sensors for multiple metal ion detection.
- Optimize the electro-deposition parameters for optimal stability and sensor performance.
- Characterize fabricated chitosan sensor using FTIR, scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, and electrochemical surface characterization tools.
- Investigate universal wireless electrochemical detector (UWED) using the developed sensor in drinking water.
This project will also allow graduate and undergraduate students to design technical solutions to current sustainability challenges.
Progress Summary:
Results from this project successfully displayed a low concentration of lead detection using a novel copper-chitosan nanocomposite-based flexible electrochemical sensor. The electrochemical sensors with an integrated Ag/AgCl reference electrode were fabricated using low-cost screen-printing technology on a flexible substrate, followed by the electrochlorination of silver to form an integrated Ag/AgCl reference electrode and electrochemical deposition of a Cu-chitosan nanocomposite film to produce a working electrode. The surface chemical analysis of the working and reference electrodes using XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) shows the formation of functional layers. The fabricated Cu-chitosan nanocomposite-based sensors are used to determine the trace level lead (Pb2+) ions in real-world water samples (i.e., tap water, mining wastewater, and soil leachate) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWSAV). A noticeable peak for lead ions is observed at ~0.46 V vs. integrated Ag/AgCl reference electrode. The limit of detection (LOD) of the developed flexible electrochemical sensor in tap water is 0.72 ppb with the relative standard deviations (n=10) of 0.65 %. The fabricated electrochemical sensor exhibits a higher response to lead ions (Pb2+) than the previously reported copper-based electrochemical sensor. The newly proposed sensor based on a Cu-chitosan nanocomposite has demonstrated reliable sensing characteristics for monitoring lead ions in drinking water, mining wastewater, and leachate water samples.
Future Activities:
We will continue to work on optimizing the sensor fabrication, making those suitable for the roll-to-roll technique. As we advance with this project, its progress in material fabrication and universal wireless electrochemical detector (UWED) will allow for field application providing research in fields such as commercial or private sector use.
Journal Articles on this Report : 4 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
Other project views: | All 12 publications | 5 publications in selected types | All 5 journal articles |
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Hwang JH, Pathak P, Wang X, Rodriguez KL, Cho HJ, Lee WH. A Novel Bismuth-Chitosan Nanocomposite Sensor for Simultaneous Detection of Pb (II), Cd (II) and Zn (II) in Wastewater. Micromachines 2019;10(8):511. |
SV840021 (2021) SU839458 (Final) |
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Hwang JH, Islam MA, Choi H, Ko TJ, Rodriguez KL, Chung HS, Jung Y, Lee WH. Improving Electrochemical Pb2+ Detection Using a Vertically Aligned 2D MoS2 Nanofilm. Analytical chemistry 2019;91(18):11770-7. |
SV840021 (2021) SU839263 (Final) SU839458 (Final) |
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Hwang JH, Wang X, Zhao D, Rex MM, Cho HJ, Lee WH. A novel nanoporous bismuth electrode sensor for in situ heavy metal detection. Electrochimica Acta 2019;(1)298:440-8. |
SV840021 (2021) SU839458 (Final) |
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Pathak P, Hwang J, Li RHT, Rodriguez KL, Rex MM, Lee WH, Cho HJ. Flexible copper-biopolymer nanocomposite sensors for trace level lead detection in water. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical 2021; B, 344, 130263. |
SV840021 (2021) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
Composite nanomaterials, Environmental sensors, Flexible sensors, Heavy metal ions, Water pollution
Relevant Websites:
Microsensor Biofilm Research Laboratory Exit
Progress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractP3 Phase I:
A Biopolymer-based Simple Lead Check in Tap Water | Final ReportThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.