Monnapat Vongboot

The synthesis of new molecularly imprinted polyurethane foam (MIPUF) using an herbicide of atrazine (Atz) as a template for selective solid-phase extraction for Atz was proposed for the first time. The MIPUF was simply synthesized under mild conditions, without requiring an oxygen-free environment. Some household apparatuses were adapted for the preparation, such as a plastic cup and bamboo chopstick. The ready-to-use MIPUF minicolumns could be obtained within 4 h with more than 10 minicolumns. The proposed material was characterized using FT-IR and SEM. The MIPUF minicolumn was used in a solid-phase extraction. The eluate of free Atz was determined using the fluorescence technique without further derivatization at 343 nm. The MIPUF offered a good sensitivity and selectivity over non-molecularly imprinted polyurethane foam (NIPUF), enhancing fluorescence intensity by 15.6 times. The linear equation and linear range for Atz detection at y = 87.25x + 311.58, R² = 0.9887 and 0.2–1.0 µM were obtained. The LOD and LOQ were 35 and 110 nM, respectively. The MIPUF revealed a more selective Atz than some potential pesticides. The ready-to-use minicolumn has been used for sample preparation and Atz assays in surface water in orchards and river water samples with recoveries (%) at 90–110%.

Two principles of leaching and precipitating for colorimetric sensing of hexavalent chromium using a composite of polyurethane foam with gold nanoparticles (PUF-AuNPs) with a smartphone and image processing were reported. The PUF-AuNP composites were exposed to different concentrations of hydrobromic acid (HBr) before taking a one-shot image and processing it to obtain a color value with ImageJ for a sample with triplicate results. In 0.05 M HBr, the leaching of AuNPs by oxidation would provide a linear calibration with yellow value = 0.021[Cr6+, mM] + 0.078 (R2 = 0.998) for 0.5–5 mM with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.3 mM. In 1 M HBr, the amount of precipitate of Cr3+-bromide was proportional to the concentration of Cr6+ with a linear range of 2–20 mM and a green value = −2.5[Cr6+, mM] + 210 (R2 = 0.981) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.6 mM. The precision was lower than 4% RSD with a good accuracy by % relative error. Various techniques, such as FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and EDS, confirmed the presented principles, and PUF-AuNPs. The PUF was readily synthesized in a lab using simple apparatuses like plastic cups and stirrer rods. AuNPs sorbed on PUF were obtained from the reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III), which would be obtained from a low-cost gold leaf. Preliminarily, two proposed colorimetric sensors were tested for Cr6+ assay in known aqueous samples with calculations in a calibration graph and the naked eye.

Coconut oil as a natural solvent is proposed for green downscaling solvent extractive determination. Determination of Cu(II) using 1,5-Diphenylcarbazide (DPC) was selected as a model for the investigation. Cu(II)-DPC complexes in aqueous solution were transferred into coconut oil phase. The change of the color due to Cu(II)-DPC complexes in coconut oil was followed by using a smartphone and image processing. A single standard concept was used for a series of Cu(II) standard solutions. A downscaling procedure using a 2 mL vial provided a calibration: color intensity = −142 [Cu(II)] + 222, (R² = 0.98), 10% RSD. Using a well plate, a calibration was: color intensity = 61 [Cu(II)] + 68 (R² = 0.91), 15% RSD. Both were for the range of 0–1 ppm Cu(II). Application of the developed procedure to water samples was demonstrated. The developed procedures provided a new approach of green chemical analysis.

A novel, cost-effective platform using a biodegradable sensor and a simple heat control unit was proposed for multi-sample formaldehyde (FA) assay in one run based on pervaporation. The biodegradable sensor was a composite starch gel attached to paper and immobilized with a mixture of color agents of modified 4-amino-3-hydrazino-5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazol (AHMT). The sensor was situated on the cap of a vial that served for pervaporation. Two types of heat control units were specially designed using the concepts of aluminum block and water bath heating. With these two designs, multi-sample assays together with standard calibration could be performed in the same run under the same conditions. An FA solution was placed in the vial of the pervaporation unit. After a heating period, FA vapor would change the color of the sensor to purple due to the reaction between AHMT and FA. As a result, the color intensity was proportional to the FA concentration. The change of the color (green or G intensity) was monitored using a smartphone camera and image processing software. Factors affecting the sensitivity of the assay, pervaporation time, pervaporation temperature, FA solution volume, and humidity, were studied. Under the chosen condition, the developed procedure, with a calibration of G intensity = 7.93[FA] + 198, R² = 0.98, was applied to analyze real samples of seafood and mushrooms available in local markets in Thailand. As there were 24 pervaporation units in the proposed platform, 5 working standards and 9 samples with duplicates could be included in a 1-run assay either in the laboratory or on-site. The developed assay offers green chemical analysis with a simple, cost-effective approach. This serves the UN-SDGs of #2, #3, #7, #10, and #12. Graphical abstract

A new biodegradable platform-based sensor for formaldehyde assay is proposed. Natural rubber latex was modified to polylactic acid–chloroacetated natural rubber polymer blend sheets. The polymer blend sheet was grafted using a water-based system with amine monomers as a platform, with a spot exhibiting positive polarity for immobilizing with anionic dye (Acid Red 27). The sensor was exposed to formaldehyde. The color intensity of the dye on the sensor spot would decrease. Using a smartphone with image processing (via ImageJ program), the color intensity change (∆B) could be followed. A linear calibration, ∆B intensity = 0.365 [FA] + 6.988, R² = 0.997, was obtained for 10–150 mM FA with LOD and LOQ at 3 and 10 mM, respectively (linear regression method). The precision was lower than 20% RSD. Application to real seafood samples was demonstrated. The ready-to-use sensor with the proposed method was cost-effective, was portable for on-site analysis, and demonstrated green chemical analysis.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced analytical chemistry educators in Thailand to change methods of teaching and learning to new normal ones. Higher education has faced additional challenges because of a lack of hands-on experiments and an increasing number of students in foundation chemistry courses being hindered from practicing skills. This work aimed to develop a Lab-at-Home (LAH) for new normal, analytical chemistry experimentation. The LAH implemented a hands-on green chemistry experiment, i.e., colorimetric determination of iron using non-hazardous reagents (supporting Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12-responsible consumption and production). The LAH was sent to students at their location before the synchronous class, where the instructors were prompt to supervise. Thus, this supports SDG4-quality education and SDG10-reduced inequalities. The learning outcome achievements, i.e., the analytical characteristics and colorimetry principles comprehension, as well as the ability to perform data analysis, were evaluated by a quiz and laboratory report. LAH satisfaction was assessed by questionnaire and focus group discussion. The learning outcomes were successfully achieved, although students who performed the experiment individually received higher scores than those who did in groups. Students were very satisfied with the LAH as a tool for new normal experimentation, yet some students faced a poor Internet connection during the synchronous online class.

To minimize chemical waste and protect the environment, our team has used green analysis with natural reagents. In this work, we designed a natural-reagent assay kit for iron determination and implemented it in chemistry education in Thailand. The iron assay method was adapted from Thai local wisdom of testing water quality using guava leaves. The guava leaf powder served as a natural reagent in the assay. The kit included equipment, standard and buffer solutions and a manual. A smart device with a built-in camera was used as a detector. Educators in six universities in Thailand implemented the kit in laboratories with modifications depending on their learning outcomes. The kit implementation was evaluated using a survey with questions in four aspects: usability, learning achievement, green chemistry and portability. The high average scores for all questions (> 4.00 of 5.00 points), with the average overall score of 4.53 ± 0.60, indicated satisfaction regarding in all aspects. Using a locally available bio-resource as a natural reagent for green analysis in chemistry education supported sustainable education in Thailand, in terms of quality education (SDG 4) and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and environmental sustainability (SDG 6—Clean water and sanitation, 12—Responsible consumption and production and 14—Life be-low water).

A monolithic rod of polyurethane foam–[4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol] (PUF–PAR) as a simple chemical sensor for lead assays with smartphone detection and image processing was developed. With readily available simple apparatus such as a plastic cup and a stirrer rod, the monolithic PUF rod was synthesized in a glass tube. The monolithic PUF–PAR rod could be directly loaded by standard/sample solution without sample preparation. A one-shot image in G/B value from a profile plot in ImageJ for a sample with triplicate results via a single standard calibration approach was obtained. A linear single standard calibration was: [G/B value] = −0.038[µg Pb²⁺] + 2.827, R² = 0.95 for 10–30 µg Pb²⁺ with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 33 µg L⁻¹. The precision was lower than 15% RSD. The proposed method was tested by an assay for Pb²⁺ contents in drinking water samples from Bangkok. The results obtained by the proposed method agree with those of ICP-OES and with 100–120% recovery, demonstrating that the method is useful for screening on-site water monitoring.

A simple flow injection FlameAAS for lead determination with an alginate-polyurethane composite (ALG-PUC) monolithic in-valve column has been developed. The ALG-PUC monolithic rod was prepared by mixing methylene diphenyl diisocyanate with polyol and sodium alginate with the ratio of 2:1:1 by weight for a 5 min polymerization reaction. It was then put into a column (0.8 cm i.d × 11 cm length) situated in a switching valve for the FI set up. A single standard calibration could be obtained by plotting the loaded µg Pb²⁺ vs. FI response (absorbances). The loaded µg Pb²⁺ is calculated: μg Pb²⁺ = FR_load × LT × C_Pb²⁺, where the FR load is the flow rate of the loading analyte solution (mL min⁻¹), LT is the loading time (min), and C_Pb²⁺ is the Pb²⁺ concentration (µg mL⁻¹). A linear calibration equation was obtained: FI response (absorbances) = 0.0018 [µg Pb²⁺] + 0.0032, R² = 0.9927 for 1–150 µg Pb²⁺, and RSD of less than 20% was also obtained. Application of the developed procedure has been demonstrated in real samples.

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