A novel phosphate detection sensor: From FTIR to EC-QCL

Excessive discharges of industrial and domestic sewage containing high concentrations of phosphorus are causing damage to the environment, so the detection of these pollutants in bodies of water is extremely critical. External cavity quantum cascade laser (EC-QCL) spectroscopy is a novel measurement technology that surpasses conventional infrared spectroscopy techniques. In this research, we propose a transmission detection system with a long optical path based on an EC-QCL for the detection of phosphate concentration in water bodies. Linear regression models were established based on this detection system, with all determination coefficients higher than 0.98 and a minimum detection limit smaller than 5.1 ppm. Additionally, the high-power spectral density of the EC-QCL permits the construction of a model using the raw radiation intensity data, as opposed to the conventional technique which depends on a reference background. The results show that the overall performance of the model based on the raw radiation intensity is similar to that of the model based on absorbance data. The EC-QCL detection system proposed in this study can ensure accuracy in the detection of pollutants, and the advantage of miniaturization provides a novel idea for the following development of portable phosphate in-situ sewage detection sensors.