Analytical Tool for Determination of traces of Cu (II)

Abstract

Heavy metals are widely existent in the contaminated environments. Copper is an essential metal for plants, microorganisms, animals and human beings to perform specific biological functions. As a toxicant at elevated levels of biologically available form, it produces a physiological response. Hence there is a need for rapid and sensitive methods for the analytical determination of copper. The aim of this article is to propose a rapid, selective and sensitive method for the determination of trace amounts copper (II). We aim to develop paptodes based on RGB analysis for copper determination and removal. A new optical analytical method, “digital RGB Analysis” is proposed instead of the conventional optical method, “spectrophotometry”. MATLAB image processing tool can transform the color information into digital RGB values that can be treated as analytical information. The Paper optode has been prepared by immobilizing resorcinol and oxalic acid 1:1 solution on chromatographic (TLC) strip and heating for 15min at 80-90⁰C. The obtained color pattern was analyzed using image processing tool of MATLAB software to determine copper (II). All parameters affecting intensity on optode have been optimized.

The proposed sensor was linear in the range 0.012-8.4µg mL^-1 {12 µL of 1-700 µg mL^-1). The minimum detection limit was found 15ng mL^-1.The proportionality in intensity of the spot color on the optodes loaded with varying amounts of copper suggests its potential applications for environmental monitoring. The paptode can also be used for pollutant check at home. Thus the paper optode has great potential for this purpose.

Key Words: MATLAB, RGB analysis, Heavy metals, optical analytical method, TLC strip.