A Simple Approach for the Selective and Sensitive Colorimetric Detection of Anionic Surfactants in Water

Abstract

Good color sense: A sensing material (S1) containing imidazolium-anchored binding groups is used with a suitable dye (methylene blue) in a simple two-step protocol for the colorimetric detection of anionic surfactants in water (see picture). A detection limit of 1 ppm can be achieved, and the method is free from the use of hazardous solvents.