A New Colorimetric Chemisensor for Rapid Detection of Lead in Water is Developed

Researchers at the University of Mazandaran in Babolsar, Iran, have developed a new benzothiazole azo dye sensor (BTS) that can rapidly detect the presence of lead (Pb²⁺) ions in water (1). The colorimetric sensor, known as BTS, exhibits a high binding affinity for Pb²⁺ ions and results in a visible color change from blue to pink when binding occurs (1). The research team conducted UV-visible (UV–vis) and ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral data analysis to determine the selectivity and stoichiometry ratio of the complex (BTS + Pb²⁺), finding a detection limit of 0.67 µM (1).

Sea water texture | Image Credit: © pharut - stock.adobe.com

According to the study published in the journal Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, the new sensor shows promising results as a rapid and accurate chemosensor for detecting Pb²⁺ ions in water (1). The researchers noted that the sensor is highly selective and did not show a visible color change in the presence of other cations, such as Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Al³⁺, Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ag⁺, Ba²⁺, K⁺, Co²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe²⁺, and Fe³⁺ ions (1).

The study also investigated the binding constant for BTS toward Pb²⁺ ions using the Benesi-Hildebrand equation (1). The researchers found that the binding constant was high, indicating a strong binding affinity for Pb²⁺ ions (1).

The BTS test paper strips were also investigated, and it was found that the synthesized sensor could be used for the rapid colorimetric detection of Pb²⁺ ions in distilled, tap, and sea waters (1). The new sensor could be a significant breakthrough in the development of cost-effective and accurate detection of heavy metals in water, which is crucial for human health and environmental protection (1).

Lead researcher Mahmood Tajbakhsh explained that the new sensor has a simple and rapid detection process, making it ideal for field applications (1). The research team hopes that the new sensor will have a significant impact on environmental monitoring and water safety (1).

The development of the new sensor highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research in materials chemistry and analytical chemistry for designing and synthesizing new materials with potential applications in chemical sensing and environmental monitoring.

Reference

(1) Ghorbanian, M.; Asghari, S.; Tajbakhsh, M. A new benzothiazole azo dye colorimetric chemosensor for detecting Pb²⁺ ion. Spectrochim. Acta A. 2023, 296, 122652. DOI: 10.1016/j.saa.2023.122652