Recent Advances in Paper-Based Sensors

Abstract

Paper-based sensors are a new alternative technology for fabricating simple, low-cost, portable and disposable analytical devices for many application areas including clinical diagnosis, food quality control and environmental monitoring. The unique properties of paper which allow passive liquid transport and compatibility with chemicals/biochemicals are the main advantages of using paper as a sensing platform. Depending on the main goal to be achieved in paper-based sensors, the fabrication methods and the analysis techniques can be tuned to fulfill the needs of the end-user. Current paper-based sensors are focused on microfluidic delivery of solution to the detection site whereas more advanced designs involve complex 3-D geometries based on the same microfluidic principles. Although paper-based sensors are very promising, they still suffer from certain limitations such as accuracy and sensitivity. However, it is anticipated that in the future, with advances in fabrication and analytical techniques, that there will be more new and innovative developments in paper-based sensors. These sensors could better meet the current objectives of a viable low-cost and portable device in addition to offering high sensitivity and selectivity, and multiple analyte discrimination. This paper is a review of recent advances in paper-based sensors and covers the following topics: existing fabrication techniques, analytical methods and application areas. Finally, the present challenges and future outlooks are discussed.

Rapid evaporation-driven chemical pre-concentration and separation on paper

“…Detection has mainly been carried out using colorimetric assays for off-site analysis via the ubiquitous smartphone [9,10]; however, electrochemical detection has also been investigated [11,12]. Several reviews are available [13][14][15].…”

Determination of Iron Ion in the Water of a Natural Hot Spring Using Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices

“…4,5 μPADs have shown promise for their use in point-of-care testing during bioanalysis, as described in many publications. [6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] When used in environmental analysis, μPADs have been successfully applied to the measurement of metal ions in particulate matters (PMs), [17][18][19] as well as being useful for measuring the oxidative activity of PMs.…”

A Low-Cost Video-Based Reflectometer for Selective Detection of Cu2+ Using Paper-Based Colorimetric Sensors

“…31 For colorimetric sensing, analyte flow is directed along the paper matrix by capillary action, and the analyte then reacts with a label or an organic dye in the test zone. 32 The choice for this quinoxaline derivative was based on previous work from our research group in which naked-eye and UV-Vis analyses showed AAQX selective for the Cu 2+ detection in methanolic solution against several other cationic species. 33 In this context, as a subsequent step, we aimed to investigate the possibility of selective response to Cu 2+ when this compound is coated on paper.…”