Sensitive signal-on fluorescent sensing for copper ions based on the polyethyleneimine-capped silver nanoclusters–cysteine system

In this work, we present a label-free sensor for copper ions. This sensor is composed of silver nanoclusters and cysteine. The fluorescence of the silver nanoclusters was quenched by cysteine, which was recovered in the presence of copper ions. This binding of silver nanoclusters to cysteine promoted agglomeration of silver nanoclusters to yield larger non-fluorescent silver nanoparticles. The presence of copper ions resulted in the oxidation of cysteine to form a disulfide compound, leading to recovery of fluorescence of the silver nanoclusters. The fluorescence of the silver nanoclusters in the presence of cysteine increased with increasing concentration of copper ions in the range of 10–200 nM. The detection limit of this sensor for copper ions was 2.3 nM. The silver nanoclusters–cysteine sensor provides a simple, cost-effective, and sensitive platform for the detection of copper ions.     

Ultrasensitive detection of aliphatic nitro-organics based on “turn-on” fluorescent sensor array

The broad class of explosives includes nitro aromatics as well as challenging aliphatic nitro-organics whose detection is important from counter-terrorism and national security perspectives. Here we report a turn-on fluorescent sensor array based on aggregation-induced emission (AIE) fluorophores as receptors. To achieve a good sensing system with fast response, good sensitivity and low detection limit, three receptors with abundant chemical diversities for target analytes were synthesized. The turn-on response of the individual receptor showed highly variable and cross-reactive analyte-dependent changes in fluorescence. The excellent ability to identify a variety of explosives, especially the challenging aliphatic nitro-organics (2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), cyclotetramethylene tetranitramine (HMX) and entaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN)), was demonstrated in qualitative and quantitative analyses with 100% accuracy. The fluorescence signal amplification in the presence of explosives allows for application of these receptors in a sensor microarray suitable for high-throughput screening. These results suggested that the cross-reactive sensor array based on AIE fluorophores could find a wide range of applications for sensing various analytes or complex mixtures.     

Electrochemical sensor based on super-magnetic metal–organic framework@molecularly imprinted polymer for Sarcosine detection in urine

Accurate determination of Sarcosine (SAR) in urine with high sensitivity and selectivity is important, because it was recently recommended as a prospective biomarker for prostate cancer (PCa) and significant for the early identification of PCa. In this study, an electrochemical sensor based on Fe₃O₄ incorporated metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) @molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) was constructed for SAR detection. Magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles embedded zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was used as the support of MIP. MIP provides specific recognition sites for template molecules SAR and MOFs increase the rate of mass transfer and adsorption capacity due to the porous structure. The synthesized super-magnetic Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8@MIP was self-assembled onto an Au electrode in magnetic field and used as the sensing unit of electrochemical sensor. Cyclic voltammetry was used to monitor the electrochemical behavior, and the binding of SAR resulted in a reduction in the measured current. The results revealed a wide linear range from 1 to 100 pM towards trace SAR determination, with extremely low limit of detection down to 0.4 pM. In conclusion, the Fe₃O₄@ZIF-8@MIP based sensor provides a selective, sensitive, and convenient method for SAR diagnosis and other cancer marker detection.     

CuS–MWCNT based electrochemical sensor for sensitive detection of bisphenol A

The rapid and simple detection of bisphenol A is very important for the safety and reproduction of organisms. Here, a sensitive and reliable electrochemical sensor was established for bisphenol A detection based on the high amplification effect of copper sulfide-multi-walled carbon nanotube (CuS–MWCNT) nanocomposites. The flower-like CuS–MWCNT were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method accompanied by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Compared with bare glassy carbon electrode (GCE), CuS–MWCNT modified GCE could amplify the electrochemical signals in about ten times, which was attributed to the synergistic effect of CuS and MWCNT. The MWCNT could increase the specific surface area of electrodes and improve the electrode activity. The integration of CuS could further enhance the electrode conductivity as well as accelerate the electron transfer rate. Raman spectra and transmission electron microscope (TEM) were used to characterize the successful fabrication of CuS–MWCNT nanocomposites and its uniform and monodispersed morphology. Under optimizing conditions, the oxidation currents of bisphenol A via the differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) showed a good linear relationship with its concentration in a wide range of 0.5–100 μM, with a detection limit of 50 nM. This electrochemical sensor of bisphenol A provided a convenient and economical platform with high sensitivity and reproducibility, which had great potential in environmental monitoring.     

A theoretical investigation of intermolecular interaction of a phthalimide based “on–off” sensor with different halide ions: tuning its efficiency and electro-optical properties

The interaction between chemosensor, N-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-indan-5-yl)-benzamide (1) and different halide ions (F ^? , Cl^? and Br^?) has been investigated using density functional theory (DFT). A clear insight of the sensor anion binding process has been presented. Our calculations revealed that the observed colorimetric and fluorescent signals are induced due to the ground state deprotonation of the sensor molecule caused by F^? which has two times higher binding affinity than other halide ions (Cl^? and Br^?). Derivatives of system 1 have been made to find a better sensor with higher binding affinity and longer wavelength of absorption. All the derivatives are better sensors than the parent 1 except 4-methyl-N-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-indan-5-yl)-benzamide (2). Among these derivatives, trimethyl-[4-(2-methyl-1,3-dioxo-indan-5-ylcarbamoyl)-phenyl]-ammonium (8) and (5-benzoylamino-1,3-dioxo-indan-2-yl)-trimethyl-ammonium (9) showed a change to higher binding energies of about 58 Kcal/mol and longer absorption wavelengths of 53 nm after deprotonation process than the parent system 1 which is highly demanded in selective chemical sensing. Systems 8, 9 and their deprotonated zwitterionic forms (8z and 9z) have also been studied for their nonlinear optical responses. Systems 8, 9 showed significantly good first hyperpolarizability (β) of 84 × 10^?30 and 40 × 10^?30 esu, respectively. These β values increase in zwitterionic states up to 216 × 10^?30 and 109 × 10^?30 esu, respectively after deprotonation with F^?, representing a new signal of deprotonation.     

A highly selective fluorescent sensor for fluoride anion based on pyrazole derivative: Naked eye “no–yes” detection

A new pyrazole-based fluorescent sensor, 5-amino-3-(5-phenyl-1H-pyrrol-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carboxamide (compound 1), was studied for fluoride anion (F^?) detection in organic or water-containing solution. This compound displayed both changes in UV–vis absorption and fluorescence emission spectra upon addition of F^?. With increasing of F^?, blue emission intensity increases drastically and reaches saturation with 607-fold enhancement at 424 nm. The results indicate that compound 1 has highly selectivity for fluoride detection over other anions, such as Cl^?, Br^?, I^?, HSO₄^?, H₂PO₄^? and AcO^? in DMSO or aqueous DMSO solutions. ¹H NMR titration and other experiments confirm that the sensing process is mainly from the deprotonation of the pyrazole–NH in compound 1.     

An electrochemical signal switch–based (on–off) aptasensor for sensitive detection of insulin on gold-deposited screen-printed electrodes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Insulin hormone is of great importance for many diseases, especially for diabetes management. Therefore, different detection strategies have been used for...     

N-Dansyl-N′-ethylthiourea for the fluorometric detection of heavy metal ions

N-Dansyl-N-ethylthiourea (DET) forms fluorescent chelates with a large number of heavy metal ions. The influence of the pH-value on the luminescence of DET and its metal chelates was investigated. The addition of Cu(II) to DET causes a bathochromic shift of the emission maximum, which is linearly dependent on the Cu(II) concentration. Low detection limits and a wide linear range of detection are achieved by HPLC using RP 18 columns as stationary phase. Also presented are first measurements of fluorescence decay times of the ligand as well as some complexes.     

Azo-pyrene–based fluorescent sensor of reductive cleavage of isomeric azo functional group

In this study we investigated the reductive azo cleavage of an azo compound presenting a pyrene fluorophore (Azo-py). Because of dramatic changes in its fluorescence, Azo-py could be used as a monitoring system for the reductive azo cleavage. Electron transfer from the pyrene unit to the azo moiety induced fluorescence quenching; this quenched fluorescence was recovered after the reductive azo cleavage. IR and NMR spectroscopy were used to study the various structural states. The rate of reductive cleavage of the azo compound, determined through fluorescence monitoring, depended on its structural state: the cleavage of trans-Azo-py was much faster than that of the cis-Azo-py. Furthermore, the Azo-py fluorophore was highly sensitive to the presence of zinc, but not other metal compounds, and the pH.     

Picomolar-sensitive impedimetric sensor for salivary calcium analysis at POC based on SAM of Schiff base–modified gold electrode

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Analysis of saliva is a potential diagnostic tool in the management of human diseases. Analysis of saliva in healthy individuals is vital to comparison in...     

A fluorescence “on–off” sensor for the highly selective and sensitive detection of Cu2+ ion

In an attempt to obtain a model of copper(II) ion-selective sensors, a new 1,8-naphthalimide-based fluorescence chemosensor, N-allylamine-4-[(E)-4-(([2-aminoethyl]imino)methyl) benzene-1,3-diol]-1,8-naphthalimide (NABN), was designed and synthesized. The sensor NABN is fully characterized by melting point analysis, fourier transform infrared spectra, Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra, fluorescence spectra, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. NABN showed an unrivaled sensing behavior and an ardent selectivity toward copper(II) ion over other competitive metal ions tested in solution (N,N-Dimethylformamide (DMF)/Tris–HCl buffer, 1:1, v/v, pH = 7.2). The sensor showed a linear fluorescence quenching toward copper(II) ion in the range 0–50 μM, with a detection limit of 1.92 × 10⁻⁷ M estimated. Job's method indicated the formation of a 2:1 coordinative mode of the sensor with copper(II) ion with a high threshold of binding constant of 4 × 10¹² M⁻¹. Combining the above results, the quenching response of NABN toward Cu(II) ions could be ascribed to the strong, intrinsic paramagnetic behavior of Cu(II).     

Acid–base sensor based on sol–gel encapsulation of bromothymol blue in silica: application for milk spoilage detection

Journal of Sol-Gel Science and Technology - In this work, silica capsules containing bromothymol blue (BTB) were synthesized by a modified Stöber sol–gel method. These silica capsules...     

Graphene–Au composite sensor for electrochemical detection of para-nitrophenol

A novel electrochemical sensor for para-nitrophenol (p-NP) was constructed with graphene–Au composite containing 10 % Au (G–Au 10 %). In the composite, Au nanoparticles with the size of ca. 11 nm were regularly scattered on graphene sheet without aggregation, which offers dramatically higher electrocatalytic activity on the redox of K₃[Fe(CN)₆]/K₄[Fe(CN)₆] couple than sole Au nanoparticles. Compared to sole Au nanoparticles, the G–Au 10 % also exhibited dramatically improved electrocatalytic activity on the reduction of p-NP. Amperometric detection of p-NP at G–Au 10 % modified electrode displayed a wide linear range of 0.47–10.75 mM with detection limit of 0.47 μM and a high sensitivity of 52.85 μA/mM. Considering the thrifty in utilization of noble Au, the G–Au 10 % can be successfully applied as a low-cost and powerful sensing material for trace detection of p-NP.     

Highly selective detection of Hg ion by push–pull-type purine nucleoside-based fluorescent sensor

Highly selective detection of Hg²⁺ ion has been achieved using the push–pull-type purine nucleoside-based fluorescent sensor L1. The sensor L1 incorporating aza-18-crown-6 at C6 position of purine nucleoside, is highly sensitive and selective toward Hg²⁺ ion in CH₃CN–H₂O mixture (92/8, v/v). The detection limit for the fluorescent sensor L1 toward Hg²⁺ ion is 7.8 × 10⁻⁸.     

A comparison of different types of gold–carbon composite electrode for detection of arsenic(III)

A study has been conducted using abrasively modified basal and edge-plane graphite, carbon-paste, and carbon–epoxy electrodes to create gold–carbon composite electrodes. Using either nano or micro-sized gold particles their suitability for use in detecting arsenic(III) is assessed. It was found that gold arrays prepared from micron-sized particles gave the best performance for arsenic detection. In particular micron arrays produced in carbon-paste electrodes with an easily renewable surface work well for detection of arsenic, producing a detection limit of 5(±2)×10^–9 mol L^–1, with a high sensitivity of 10(±0.1) A mol^–1 L.     

Synthesis of fluorescent Ag nanoclusters and their application in α-l-fucosidase detection

Highly fluorescent Ag nanoclusters (NCs) were successfully prepared by a simple and nontoxic approach, and the as-prepared Ag NCs could be utilized for the AFu detection with a lower detection limit of 0.001 U L(-1).     

Phenanthrene-imidazole-based fluorescent sensor for selective detection of Ag+ and F− ions: real sample application and live cell imaging

Research on Chemical Intermediates - 4-Methyl-2,6-bis(1H-phenanthro[9,10-d]imidazol-2-yl)phenol (probe-MPIP) conjugate has been designed as a selective fluorescent probe for silver (Ag+) ions. The...     

Au nanoparticles based ultra-fast “Turn-On” fluorescent sensor for detection of biothiols and its application in living cell imaging

Au or other metal nanostructures have the ability to strongly quench the fluorescence of fluorophores.This feature has made AuNP-conjugates attractive for the construction of platforms for various bioanalytes to overcome the limitations of small molecule fluorophores(poor solubility,long reaction time).In this paper,an ultrafast "Turn-On" fluo rescent sensor for biothiols was constructed.The sensor is based on the fluorescent resonance energy transfer(FRET) effect between the fluorophore(PN) and AuNPs,which effectively quenches the fluorescence of the fluorophore.In the presence of thiols,PN is displaced and released from AuNP surfaces,and thus,the fluorescence is rapidly restored.The sensor features appreciable water solubility and ultrafast response time(a few seconds for Cys).In addition,it exhibits high selectivity and a detection limit as low as 12 nmol/L for Hcy.Moreover,the sensor presents good biocompatibility and has been successfully applied for imaging biothiols in living cells.     

A novel colorimetric aptasensor for detection of chloramphenicol based on lanthanum ion–assisted gold nanoparticle aggregation and smartphone imaging

A label-free, rapid response colorimetric aptasensor for sensitive detection of chloramphenicol (CAP) was proposed, which was based on the strategy of ssDNA-modified gold nanoparticle (AuNP) aggregation assisted by lanthanum (La³⁺) ions. The AuNPs generated a color change that could be monitored in the red, green, and blue and analyzed by the smartphone imaging app. La³⁺, as a trigger agent, strongly combined with the phosphate groups of the surface of ssDNA-AuNPs probe, which helps create AuNP aggregation and the color change of AuNPs from red to blue. On the contrary, when mixing with CAP, the aptamer (Apt) bound to CAP to form a rigid structure of the Apt-CAP complex, and La³⁺ attached to the phosphate groups of the complex, which prevented the aptamer from binding to the surface of the AuNPs. As a result, the color of the AuNPs changed to violet-red. Finally, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and the smartphone imaging app were employed to determine CAP with a lower detection limit of 7.65 nM and 5.88 nM, respectively. The proposed strategy featuring high selectivity and strong anti-interference ability for detection of CAP in practical samples was achieved. It is worth mentioning that the simple and portable colorimetric aptasensor will be used for facilitating on-site detection of food samples.