Hydrogel for Environmental Pollutants Sensor
Hydrogel for Environmental Pollutants Sensor
Hydrogels facilitate the immobilization of analytes, and their three-dimensional cross-linked structure allows for the incorporation of highly sensitive substrates for detection purposes. The current focus in environmental hydrogel sensor research lies in utilizing the physical and chemical properties of chemically modified hydrogels to detect and quantify toxic metal ions as well as organic compounds present in environmental matrices.
Introduction to Environmental Sensor
The development and utilization of environmental sensors enable the precise measurement, continuous monitoring, accurate recording, and comprehensive assessment of various environmental parameters including temperature, humidity, gas composition, and contaminants.
Highly selective
The analyte of interest may share similar chemical and physical properties with numerous components within the matrix.
High sensitivity
Environmental contaminants and pollutants can exhibit toxicity even at low concentrations.
Easy to use
The analyst may have limited laboratory experience and restricted access to reagents while working in the field.
Hydrogel-Based Sensors for the Detection of Environmental Pollutants
The hydrogels demonstrate significant alterations in their network structure, swelling behavior, permeability, and mechanical strength in response to various external stimuli such as pH or temperature fluctuations. Consequently, hydrogels find extensive applications in the detection of toxic metal ions, organic compounds, and other types of pollutants associated with environmental pollution.
- Detection of Heavy Metals
Hydrogel sensors have been utilized for the detection and quantification of water-soluble toxic metal ions, such as mercury (Hg2+), uranyl (UO22−), and lead (Pb2+). Aqueous metal ions hold significant importance due to their high bioavailability, making even trace concentrations potentially harmful to both humans and organisms in the environment.
| Mercury (Hg2+) Detection | Uranyl (UO22-) Detection | Lead (Pb2+) Detection |
|---|---|---|
| A hydrogel sensor with acrylamide has been developed, which is functionalized with DNA to detect Hg2+ in lake water selectively. The sensor uses the specific affinity between thiamine DNA bases and Hg2+, followed by the addition of a fluorescent dye that emits green fluorescence when Hg2+ is present and yellow fluorescence when it is absent. | A novel hydrogel, referred to as a smart photonic crystal hydrogel (PhCH), was developed to detect uranyl ions. Carboxyl groups were incorporated into the hydrogel network through the process of hydrolysis, resulting in an enhanced shrinkage ratio upon exposure to uranyl. | A DNAzyme cross-linked hydrogel sensor has been developed for the detection of Pb2+. Upon exposure to Pb2+, the DNAzyme is activated and cleaves the substrate sequence, destabilizing the hydrogel. This results in the release of gold nanoparticles, which serve as indicators for colorimetric detection. |
Fig. 1 Hydrogel for Hg2+ detection. (Völlmecke K, et al., 2022)
- Organic Pollutants Detection
The release of various organic pollutants into freshwater or the environment, particularly in agricultural settings, is a significant concern. The widespread use of pesticides for weed control and pest management poses a particular threat. Organophosphorus pesticides (OPs) have been found to have negative impacts on human health by inhibiting the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (AChE). Hydrogels are commonly utilized for OP detection in the environment due to their ability to exhibit fluorescence upon incorporation of an OP.
Fig. 2 Hydrogel for detecting OPs. (Völlmecke K, et al., 2022)
The Hydrogel Development Services We Provide
Matexcel excels at handling challenging projects, and our scientists have a wide range of expertise and experience in hydrogel for environmental pollutants sensor. Would you like more information about our services? Please contact us.
Reference
- Völlmecke K.; et al. Hydrogel-Based Biosensors. Gels. 2022 Nov 25;8(12):768.