Innovative Microfluidic Technologies for Rapid Heavy Metal Ion Detection

作者：Muhammad Furqan Rauf, Zhenda Lin, Muhammad Kamran Rauf, Jin‐Ming Lin · 发表于：Chemosensors · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.3390/chemosensors13040149 · 被引用次数：20 · 研究领域：Biosensors and Analytical Detection、Electrochemical Analysis and Applications、Analytical Chemistry and Sensors

Heavy metal ion (HMI) contamination poses significant threats to public health and environmental safety, necessitating advanced detection technologies that are rapid, sensitive, and field-deployable. While conventional methods like atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) remain prevalent, their limitations—including high costs, complex workflows, and lack of portability—underscore the urgent need for innovative alternatives. This review consolidates advancements in the last five years in microfluidic technologies for HMI detection, emphasizing their transformative potential through miniaturization, integration, and automation. We critically evaluate the synergy of microfluidics with cutting-edge materials (e.g., graphene and quantum dots) and detection mechanisms (electrochemical, optical, and colorimetric), enabling ultra-trace detection at parts-per-billion (ppb) levels. We highlight novel device architectures, such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based labs-on-chip (LOCs), paper-based microfluidics, 3D-printed systems, and digital microfluidics (DMF), which offer unparalleled portability, cost-effectiveness, and multiplexing capabilities. Additionally, we address persistent challenges (e.g., selectivity and scalability) and propose future directions, including AI integration and sustainable fabrication. By bridging gaps between laboratory research and practical deployment, this review provides a roadmap for next-generat...