Catechol-Based Colorimetric Sensors for Heavy Metals
Location
PANEL: Insights into Molecular Interactions: Advancements in Chemical Sensing, Protein Profiling, Neurobiology, and Cellular Physiology
Science Center A254
Document Type
Presentation
Start Date
4-26-2024 4:00 PM
End Date
4-26-2024 5:00 PM
Abstract
Heavy metals can cause major public health issues when the population is exposed to them. Prior research in our lab focused on materials inspired by melanin pigments as heavy metal-binding agents. Melanin pigments contain important functional groups called catechol. Our lab found that coatings formed from the polymerization of catechols on membrane discs can change color when exposed to various metal ions, including toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. This led us to consider developing a reliable and cheap sensor for heavy metal contamination in the water supply. Shortly before we joined the group, the system was optimized to generate large color changes, but many challenges remain to understand the system and ultimately make it practical. In particular, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the structural changes and the chemical basis of metal-ion selectivity. Thus, we have begun focusing on the structural elucidation of the catechol coatings. We have found multiple contributions to the color change that include covalent and temporary noncovalent changes to the material. Depending on the catechol and the metal ion, these effects can be competing or additive towards the overall color change. This presentation will highlight our recent efforts regarding quantitative colorimetry, infrared (IR)/UV/VIS spectroscopy, and most recently, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to understand the system.
Keywords:
Catechol, Melanin, Water, Lead
Recommended Citation
Jimenez, Jose; Murphy, Cody; Choi, Rachel; Nguyen, Hieu; Parsons, Laura; Shen, Andrew; and Belitsky, Jason, "Catechol-Based Colorimetric Sensors for Heavy Metals" (2024). Research Symposium. 17.
https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/researchsymp/2024/presentations/17
Major
3/2 Engineering
Project Mentor(s)
Jason Belitsky, Chemistry and Biochemistry
2024
Catechol-Based Colorimetric Sensors for Heavy Metals
PANEL: Insights into Molecular Interactions: Advancements in Chemical Sensing, Protein Profiling, Neurobiology, and Cellular Physiology
Science Center A254
Heavy metals can cause major public health issues when the population is exposed to them. Prior research in our lab focused on materials inspired by melanin pigments as heavy metal-binding agents. Melanin pigments contain important functional groups called catechol. Our lab found that coatings formed from the polymerization of catechols on membrane discs can change color when exposed to various metal ions, including toxic metals such as lead and cadmium. This led us to consider developing a reliable and cheap sensor for heavy metal contamination in the water supply. Shortly before we joined the group, the system was optimized to generate large color changes, but many challenges remain to understand the system and ultimately make it practical. In particular, there are significant gaps in our understanding of the structural changes and the chemical basis of metal-ion selectivity. Thus, we have begun focusing on the structural elucidation of the catechol coatings. We have found multiple contributions to the color change that include covalent and temporary noncovalent changes to the material. Depending on the catechol and the metal ion, these effects can be competing or additive towards the overall color change. This presentation will highlight our recent efforts regarding quantitative colorimetry, infrared (IR)/UV/VIS spectroscopy, and most recently, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy to understand the system.
