In this work, a solely gravity and capillary force-driven flow chemiluminescence (GCF-CL) paper-based microfluidic device has been proved for the first time as a new platform for inexpensive, usable, minimally-instrumented dynamic chemiluminescence (CL) detection of chromium (III) [Cr(III)], where an appropriate angle of inclination between the loading and detection zones on the paper produces a rapid flow of CL prompt solution through the paper channel. For this study, we use a cost-effective paper device that is manufactured by a simple wax screen-printing method, while the signal generated from the Cr(III)-catalyzed oxidation of luminol by H2O2 is recorded by a low-cost and luggable CCD camera. A series of GCF-CL affecting factors have been evaluated carefully. At optimal conditions, two linear relationships between GCF-CL intensities and the logarithms of Cr(III) concentrations are obtained in the concentration ranges of 0.025–35mg/L and 50–500mg/L separately, with the detection limit of 0.0245mg/L for a less than 30s assay, and relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 3.8%, 4.5% and 2.3% for 0.75, 5 and 50mg/L of Cr(III) (n=8). The above results indicate that the GCF-CL paper-based microfluidic device possesses a receivable sensitivity, dynamic range, storage stability and reproducibility. Finally, the developed GCF-CL is utilized for Cr(III) detection in real water samples.
