Exploring colorimetric detection of perfluorooctane sulfonate using micelle solubilised porphyrin†

The harmful pollutant perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is difficult to detect without extensive laboratory equipment used by trained personnel. Herein, we report the use of a micelle-encapsulated porphyrin host molecule as rapid colorimetric indicator for PFOS and its anionic salts. A range common commercially available surfactants were tested optimised encapsulate hydrophobic highly pigmented sensor molecule. This method was detection in aqueous solutions at concentrations low 3 ppm. Colour space RGB information extracted from mobile phone photograph parameterised, allowing threshold detection, demonstrating applicability this an easily accessible approach inform untrained user.