Filter paper strips combined with screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCE) were used in the assembly of a microfluidic device for detecting Pb(II) and Cd(II) in aqueous samples. The portable microfluidic device (with direct electrochemical detection) was tested for direct quantification of multiple analytes (Pb(II) and Cd(II)) in contaminated aqueous samples without pretreatment. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetric (SWASV) signal was greatly enhanced and displayed excellent analytical performance for Pb(II) and Cd(II) detection (from 0 to 100 ppb) with low limit of detection of 2.0 and 2.3 ppb, respectively. The proposed electrochemical devices also exhibited good selectivity and stability for analyses of real samples of gas dissolved salty soda water and ground water with physical contamination. The device is simple, low-cost, easy-to-fabricate and portable. This analytical device has the possibility of being useful for point-of-care applications in environmental monitoring, public health and food safety.
microfluidic devices; screen-printed carbon electrodes; filter paper strip; portable device
