Paptode: An Analytical Tool Proceeding towards Green Chemistry | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Green chemistry is carrying out chemical activities, including chemical design, manufacture, use, and disposal, such that hazardous substances will not be used and generated. It is a tool in accomplishing Pollution Prevention. It encompasses all aspects and types of chemical processes to reduce impacts of hazardous substances. Green chemistry is the use of chemistry for pollution prevention, design of chemical products and processes that are more environmentally benign and reduction or elimination of the use or generation of hazardous substances associated with a particular synthesis or process. Green chemistry shifts financial resources from costs to research & development. It promises to lower overall energy consumption and costs associated with environmental health and safety. Paptode developed for detection and removal of heavy metals also work on the principles of green chemistry. It is highly cheap and user friendly device. It is prepared simply by dipping green substrate such as paper, clay, TLC (thin layer chromatographic) paper, cotton or any absorbing material into suitable reagent system. A colored reaction product can be produced on the surface of reagent impregnated inert support, by a single drop of solution of analyte, producing distinct flecks or rings. This local accumulation accompanying spot reaction enhances discernibility of colored reaction products. The degree of color of the spot was found to be proportional. The proportionality in intensity of the spot color on the paptode loaded with varying amounts of analyte suggests its potential applications for environmental monitoring and hence waste management. The paptode can also be used for pollutant check at home. Thus the paper optode has great potential for this purpose and is progressing towards green chemistry.