Design and Fabrication of Disposable Devices for Quantitative Detection of Fluoride in Field Studies

Abstract

Supramolecular chemistry has been defined as chemistry beyond the molecule . Jean-Marie Lehn, one of the leading expert who shared Nobel Prize in this area described supramolecular chemistry as chemistry of molecular assemblies and of the intermolecular bond . In another way, supermolecule is expressed as species that bound two or more covalent molecules or ions together by non-covalent interactions. The molecular building blocks are held together by reversible intermolecular interactions which include electrostatic interactions, and#960;-and#960; interactions, hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic effect and dispersion interactions (Steed 2013:2-8). Based on literature reported, various receptors will be designed with various functional groups for detection of the F¯ ions in the organic medium. The molecules thus synthesised will be examined for the sensing of the F¯ ions. The receptor synthesised for the detection of F¯ ions in the organic medium will be modified so that it will be suitable for sensing of the F¯ ions in an aqueous medium. Further, the receptor will be evaluated for the detection ability and detection limits using UV-Vis spectroscopy. In addition, the receptor will be fine-tuned to improve the detection limits, sensitivity and selectivity.All the receptors synthesised will be characterized by various analytical techniques for the confirmation of molecular structure. The receptor exhibiting high limit of detection (LoD), sensitivity and selectivity will be taken for device development stage.Based on that design a device will be developed for F¯ ions detection in an aqueous medium. The device will be tested vigorously in laboratory conditions before taking into field study .The devices which have been developed in the laboratory will be studied for detection of F¯ ions from various water sources. newline newline