Design of a zinc(II) ion specific fluorescence sensor

We report the synthesis of {[3-(biscarboxymethylamino)-2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl]carboxymethylamino}acetic acid, which functions as a Zn²⁺ selective fluorescence probe (sensor).     

A Zn(II) ion selective fluorescence sensor that is not affected by Cd(II)

Comparison of sensors sodium-2,6-diamino-(N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetate)-4-methylanisole 1 and sodium-2,6-diamino-(N,N,N′-triacetate)-4-methylanisole 2 reveal that the loss of an acetyl group in 2 leads to a more selective Zn(II) induced fluorescence enhancement and shows no response to any other metal ions including Cd(II). Structural modifications and AM1 calculations indicate that the sensor uses the three acetyl groups and the 3° amino nitrogen for binding the metal ion. AM1 calculations imply a trigonal bipyramidal coordination for Zn(II) with the solvent molecule occupying one of the axial positions.     

Recent trends of biosensors in Japan

Remarkable progress has been made in the development of bioelectrochemical sensors, and various kinds of biosensors have been developed and applied in analytical chemistry. Many of these enzyme, microbial, and immunosensors have been recently developed in Japan and in this paper, recent trends in Japanese biosensor development are described.     

Analytical characteristics and sensitivity mechanisms of electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor system-based chemical sensors—a critical review

Recent trends in research and development of electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field-effect chemical sensors (ion-selective field-effect transistors, light-addressable potentiometric sensors, capacitive EIS-sensors) with inorganic gate insulators (oxide, nitride and chalcogenide films) are reviewed. Physical properties of EIS systems and basic mechanisms of their chemical sensitivity are examined. Analytical characteristics and sensing mechanisms of EIS pH sensors with oxide and nitride films, as well as metal ions sensors with chalcogenide films, are critically discussed. Prospects of future research on EIS field-effect biosensors are briefly outlined.     

A mini-review on MXenes as versatile substrate for advanced sensors

MXenes have emerged as versatile 2D materials that are already gaining paramount attention in the areas of energy,catalyst,electromagnetic shielding,and sensors.The unique surface chemistry,graphene-like mo rphology,high hydrophilicity,metal-like conductivity with redox capability identifies MXenes,as an ideal material for surface-related applications.This short review summarizes the most recent reports that discuss the potential application of MXenes and their hybrids as a transducer material for advanced sensors.Based on the nature of transducing signals,the discussion is categorized into three sections,which include electrochemical(bio) sensors,gas sensors,and finally,electro-chemiluminescence fluorescent sensors.The review provides a concise summary of all the analytical merits obtained subsequent to the use of MXenes,followed by endeavors that have been made to accentuate the future perspective of MXenes in sensor devices.     

Optical sensors for determination of heavy metal ions

A review is given on optical means for single shot testing (probing) as well as continuous monitoring (sensing) of heavy metal ions (HMs). Following an introduction into indicator based approaches, we discuss the types of indicator dyes and polymeric supports used, as well as existing sensing schemes for HMs. The wealth of information is compiled in the form of tables and critically reviewed. Notwithstanding the tremendous work performed so far, it is obvious that still severe limitations do exist in terms of selectivity, limits of detection, dynamic ranges, applicability to specific problems, and reversibility. On the other hand, such sensors have found — and will find — their application whenever rapid and cost-effective testing is required, where personnel is scarce or unskilled, and in field tests. Despite their limitations, the number of such sensors (and of irreversible probes) for HMs is likely to increase in future.     

Electrochemical sensors for environmental gas analysis

The application of electrochemical sensors for measurement of concentration of pollutant gases in air in the part-per-billion (10⁹) range is reviewed. Performance-limiting factors, particularly the effects of extremes and of relatively rapid changes in ambient temperature and humidity, are noted. Variations in composition of the electrolyte in the meniscus at the electrode–gas interface and instability of the solid–liquid–gas contact line, causing important variations in current due to background electrode reactions, are deduced and suggested as the reason for the performance limitations. Suggestions are made for mitigation through instrument design.     

Transition metal and organometallic anion complexation agents

Anions are ubiquitous species, and therefore, their sensing is of considerable interest. Anion receptors containing electrochemically active groups such as ferrocene or cobaltocenium, or optically active groups such as ruthenium(II) bipyridyl derivatives, allow the binding of anions to be detected by a physical response at the metal centre. These systems have been incorporated into various acyclic, macrocyclic and calix[4]arene frameworks, many of which include an amide hydrogen-bonding group. Anions may be recognised in a range of environmental conditions, with some receptors even being active in aqueous solution. The incorporation of new transition metal and organometallic systems has led to the development of several new strategies in anion recognition.     

Novel Test System for Gas Sensing Materials and Sensors

Summary: A growing interest in gas sensors necessitates the requirement for a test system that is reliable and capable of handling multiple gas analytes at various concentrations. Most test systems currently used do not incorporate some type of standard with which to verify the actual concentrations of the gas analytes being tested, but rather calculate concentrations indirectly. The problem is that the calculated concentrations rarely take into account any loss that may occur across the test system. The test system described herein uses a specialized gas chromatograph (GC) that is capable of detecting down to the ppb range. It can either be used to screen potential sensing materials or to verify the actual concentration being tested for a specific sensor.     

Broad Applications of Thiazole Orange in Fluorescent Sensing of Biomolecules and Ions

Fluorescent sensing of biomolecules has served as a revolutionary tool for studying and better understanding various biological systems. Therefore, it has become increasingly important to identify fluorescent building blocks that can be easily converted into sensing probes, which can detect specific targets with increasing sensitivity and accuracy. Over the past 30 years, thiazole orange (TO) has garnered great attention due to its low fluorescence background signal and remarkable ‘turn-on’ fluorescence response, being controlled only by its intramolecular torsional movement. These features have led to the development of numerous molecular probes that apply TO in order to sense a variety of biomolecules and metal ions. Here, we highlight the tremendous progress made in the field of TO-based sensors and demonstrate the different strategies that have enabled TO to evolve into a versatile dye for monitoring a collection of biomolecules.     

手性传感器研究进展

手性工程的崛起对简单、经济、快速、实时、在线的手性检测技术提出了挑战。手性传感器是一个重要的发展趋势。本文综述了近年来在手性电化学传感器、基于石英晶体微天平的手性质量化学传感器及手性光学传感器方面的研究进展,重点介绍了各种传感器的制备及其在手性检测中的应用,并展望了该领域的发展前景。     

Polymeric nanofiber-based ion-selective sensors

Ion-selective sensors are established tools of chemical analysis used in both electrochemical and optical sensing modes. They allow insight into ion concentrations in various samples, offering reliable performance. One of the ways of improving this class of devices is to explore the benefits of nanoscale receptor layers. In this respect, nanofibers seem to be a highly attractive option because of unique properties related to the geometry of this class of nanomaterials. This paves the way to explore alternative approaches to design ion-selective receptors architecture, to benefit from receptor molecules that are not compatible with classical ion-selective membranes.     

Fluorescent photoionic devices with two receptors and two switching mechanisms: applications to pH sensors and implications for metal ion detection

Two leading designs of fluorescent sensors are combined to yield the novel hybrid system of the ‘Fluorophore-Receptor₁-Spacer-Receptor₂’ format. We use 4-(dialkylaminoalkylamino)-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazoles as examples. The emission from internal charge transfer excited states in the present instances are highly responsive to N-H deprotonation as well as being quenched by intramolecular tertiary amine groups via photoinduced electron transfer (PET). When applied to pH sensing, this leads in favourable cases to two steps in the fluorescence-pH profile which can be viewed as a multi-stable photoionic device, even though single steps are more usual. The former situation is favoured when the two proton-associated equilibria are sufficiently separated on the pH scale and when the PET process is of moderate efficiency. These systems have the added feature of excitation/emission wavelengths in the visible region. As a secondary theme, we point out that caution is required when designing sensors for transition metal ions from systems with intrinsically proton-sensitive fluorescence due to receptors either integrated with or spaced from the fluorophore.     

(E)-3-(meso-Octamethylcalix[4]pyrrol-2-yl)propenal: a versatile precursor for calix[4]pyrrole-based chromogenic anion sensors

The synthesis of (E)-3-(meso-octamethylcalix[4]pyrrol-2-yl)propenal and its use in Knoevenagel reactions are described. The resulting compounds display sharp changes in color in the presence of fluoride, acetate, and dihydrogen phosphate anions.     

A highly selective turn-on ATP fluorescence sensor based on unmodified cysteamine capped CdS quantum dots

Unmodified cysteamine capped nanocrystalline cadmium sulfide quantum dots (Cys-CdS QDs) were demonstrated as a selective turn-on fluorescence sensor for sensing adenosine-5′-triphosphate (ATP) in aqueous solution for the first time. The fluorescence intensity of the Cys-CdS QDs was significantly enhanced in the presence of ATP. In addition, the fluorescence intensity of the Cys-CdS QDs increased when increasing ATP concentrations. On the other hand, other phosphate metabolites and other tested common anions did not significantly alter the fluorescence intensity of the Cys-CdS QDs. In addition, this sensor showed excellent discrimination of pyrophosphate (PPi) from ATP detection. The proposed sensor could efficiently be used for ATP sensing at very low concentration with LOD of 17 μM with the linear working concentration range of 20–80 μM. The feasibility of the proposed sensor for determining ATP in urine samples was also studied, and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Amide-nitrophenyl based colorimetric receptors for selective sensing of fluoride ions

New chromogenic receptors containing 2-nitrophenyl or 3,5-dinitrophenyl groups appended to the amide or in secondary amine positions have been synthesized and characterized. Upon addition of fluoride to two of the receptors in acetonitrile, the solution acquired a yellow colour. The third receptor showed an intense purple colour with fluoride in acetonitrile and the appearance of the purple colour can be detected by the naked eye at parts per million level. The addition of chloride, bromide and iodide to the receptors did not induce any colour. Thus the receptors can act as fluoride ion sensors even in the presence of other halide ions.     

Synthesis of new calix[4]pyrrole derivatives via 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions

Octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole-2-carbaldehyde 1 and 3-(octamethylcalix[4]pyrrol-2-yl)propenal 5 were used as precursors of azomethine ylides, which were trapped in situ with a range of dipolarophiles, such as 1,4-benzoquinone, 1,4-naphthoquinone, and fumaronitrile. Aldehyde 1 showed very low reactivity but the azomethine ylide generated from the reaction of aldehyde 5 with N-methylglycine could be trapped with those dipolarophiles to afford new β-substituted octamethylcalix[4]pyrrole derivatives in moderate yields. The resulting cycloadducts show high affinity constants for fluoride and acetate anions; compounds 7 and 8 display sharp changes in color in the presence of these anions.     

Chemically Sensitive Field‐Effect Transistors and Chemiresistors: New Materials and Device Structures

Electronic sensor technology remains of widespread and intense interest. There are compelling needs to detect chemical species ranging from small molecules dispersed in the gas phase to complex biopolymers in aqueous solution. This review describes some recent advances in three main areas: chemically sensitive resistors (chemiresistors, CRs) including inorganic and organic based devices, field effect transistors (FETs) with semiconducting layers and/or gates with chemical sensitivity, and sensors based on the differential conductivity of nanotubes and nanowires. Results reported in the last two to three years are emphasized, highlighting some current trends in the development of sensors for applications such as diagnostics, process monitoring, and security.     

Electrochemical Sensors,a Bright Future in the Fabrication of Portable Kits in Analytical Systems

Analysis of food, pharmaceutical, and environmental compounds is an inevitable issue to evaluate quality of the compounds used in human life. Quality of drinking water, food products, and pharmaceutical compounds is directly associated with human health. Presence of forbidden additives in food products, toxic compounds in water samples and drugs with low quality lead to important problems for human health. Therefore, attention to analytical strategy for investigation of quality of food, pharmaceutical, and environmental compounds and monitoring presence of forbidden compounds in materials used by humans has increased in recent years. Analytical methods help to identify and quantify both permissible and unauthorized compounds present in the materials used in human daily life. Among analytical methods, electrochemical methods have been shown to have more advantages compared to other analytical methods due to their portability and low cost. Most of big companies have applied this type of analytical methods because of their fast and selective analysis. Due to simple operation and high diversity of electroanalytical sensors, these types of sensors are expected to be the future generation of analytical systems. Therefore, many scientists and researchers have focused on designing and fabrication of electroanalytical sensors with good selectivity and high sensitivity for different types of compounds such as drugs, food, and environmental pollutants. In this paper, we described the mechanism and different examples of DNA, enzymatic and electro‐catalytic methods for electroanalytical determination of drug, food and environmental compounds.