Heavy Metal Detection in Treated Water Via a Fabric Nanocomposite Sensor

We present the conception of an electrochemical sensor for on-site/portable water analysis. This flexible sensor was developed to quantify the amount of heavy metals (in real-time), alleviating the wait time, large sample size, possible contamination, and expensive analytical equipment associated with current procedures for water analysis. This sensor is composed of a multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNT) functionalized polymer mat, for a flexible yet conductive sensor. The MWNTs are then functionalized with a cyclo-oligomeric calixarene, which is shown to selectively form a supramolecular complex with metal ions. Upon complex formation, the charge carriers are drawn away from the carbon layer and the detection is prevalent at appropriate levels. The optimization of MWNT and calixarene functionalization, as well as the selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor will be discussed.