Ion chromatograph with three‐dimensional printed absorbance detector for indirect ultraviolet absorbance detection of phosphate in effluent and natural waters

Abstract

An ion chromatography system employing a low‐cost three‐dimensional printed absorbance detector for indirect ultraviolet detection towards portable phosphate analysis of environmental and industrial waters has been developed. The optical detection cell was fabricated using stereolithography three‐dimensional printing of nanocomposite material. Chromatographic analysis and detection of phosphate were carried out using a CS5A 4 × 250 mm analytical column with indirect ultraviolet detection using a 255 nm light‐emitting diode. Isocratic elution using a 0.6 mM potassium phthalate eluent combined with 1.44 mM sodium bicarbonate was employed at a flow rate of 0.75 mL/min. A linear calibration range of 0.5 to 30 mg/L PO43− applicable to environmental and wastewater analysis was achieved. For retention time and peak area repeatability, relative standard deviation values were 0.68 and 4.09%, respectively. Environmental and wastewater samples were analyzed with the optimized ion chromatography platform and the results were compared to values obtained by an accredited ion chromatograph. For the analysis of environmental samples, relative errors of <14 % were achieved. Recovery analysis was also carried out on both freshwater and wastewater samples and recovery results were within the acceptable range for water analysis using standard ion chromatography methods.

The utilization of open‐source microcontroller boards and single‐board computers in liquid chromatography

“…Similar to this LC platform, a portable system for nitrite and nitrate analysis using ion chromatography originally relied upon other commercial components for system control [82] but later utilized a Teensy microcontroller for operation [83,84]. More recent versions have been adapted for phosphate analysis with ion chromatography [85] and a general platform for operating other LC separation modes [86]. Finally, a chip-based compact system utilized an M5Stack development board for system control with connection to a separate microcontroller for data logging [87].…”

Recent advances in miniaturization of portable liquid chromatography with emphasis on detection

“…In recent years, an increasing number of publications have emerged describing small footprint inexpensive low UV absorbance detection systems [4,10,12,13]. With the ready availability of additive manufacturing technologies (3D printing), optical components, such as flow cells, slits, and optical adapters/housings, can be fabricated quickly and prototyped with a high degree of precision [14][15][16][17]. These new fabrication technologies have demonstrated the ability to match the capabilities of conventional machining for producing new detector components, particularly those with complex designs and intricate 3D geometries.…”

Functionality integration in stereolithography 3D printed microfluidics using a “print-pause-print” strategy

“…In another approach, Lace et al coupled 3D printed chips with fused silica windows, UV LED and photodiode post-printing using double-sided tape and screws for phosphate detection in turbidity measurement. 20 Interestingly, another protocol also called “print-pause-print” (PPP) was proposed for other types of 3D printing technologies, such as fused deposition modelling (FDM) or ink-jet printing. 21 In either techniques, a melted filament (FDM) or liquid droplet (ink-jet) are deposited on a horizontal platform and immediately solidifies either by cooling down (FDM) or by a short UV curing (ink-jet).…”