From Colour Catcher (R) to colorimetric sensors: disposable and cheap devices for inorganic ions determination

We describe disposable and cheap colorimetric devices obtained by fixing classical dyes on the commercial paper sheet known as "Colour Catcher (R)" (here named under the acronym CC), the product used to prevent color runs in washing machines cycles. These devices can be used as colorimetric sensors for different analytes of environmental and biological interest since the indicator dye, fixed on the solid material, changes its spectral properties (color and hence UV-vis spectrum) upon contact with the analyte. The relationship between the analyte content and the UV-vis spectrum (or RGB values) change of each sensor is provided using a chemometric tool: the Partial Least Squares regression (PLS). Promising results were obtained when applying these sensors to actual samples, so because of their simple preparation with low-cost reagents, they can be effective for application in environmental and food analysis.