A polydiacetylene (PDA)-based colorimetric sensor for on-site cyanide anion monitoring integrated with a lateral flow assay platform

An advanced sensing platform for the on-site and real-time monitoring of cyanide (CN⁻) pollution was developed, addressing the key challenges of enhancing the selectivity and sensitivity, whilst simplifying the sensing process. This platform features a novel colorimetric sensor (PDA-BMN) created by incorporating a receptor for CN⁻ recognition within a polydiacetylene (PDA) conjugated polymer system. The interaction of CN⁻ with the receptor distorted the π-conjugated backbone, causing a distinct color change from blue to orange, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.55 µM, thereby highlighting its high sensitivity. The PDA-BMN system was integrated into a lateral flow assay (LFA) strip to facilitate on-site monitoring. The LFA strip was strategically designed with a partially pressed zone to reduce the fluid flow rate, enhance the reaction time, and increase the probability of interaction with the PDA-BMN sensor. This innovation resulted in a significant colorimetric transition, enabling the rapid and sensitive detection of CN⁻ without the requirement for analytical instruments. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of combining PDA and LFA systems for real-time environmental monitoring, offering a robust, efficient, and user-friendly solution for detecting CN⁻ pollution.