A multidimensional sensing device for the discrimination of proteins based on manganese-doped ZnS quantum dots

Lab-on-a-nanoparticle: the triple-channel optical properties of Mn-doped ZnS quantum dots (fluorescence, phosphorescence, and light scattering) are explored to develop a multidimensional sensing device for the discrimination of proteins in a lab-on-a-nanoparticle approach.     

A hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on direct electrochemistry of hemoglobin in palladium nanoparticles/graphene-chitosan nanocomposite film

Thermally two-dimensional lattice graphene (GR) and biocompatibility chitosan (CS) act as a suitable support for the deposition of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs). A novel hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) biosensor based on immobilization of hemoglobin (Hb) in thin film of CS containing GR and PdNPs was developed. The surface morphologies of a set of representative membranes were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy and showed that the PdNPs are of a sphere shape and an average diameter of 50 nm. Under the optimal conditions, the immobilized Hb showed fast and excellent electrocatalytic activity to H₂O₂ with a small Michaelis–Menten constant of 16 μmol L⁻¹, a linear range from 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.1 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹, and a detection limit of 6.6 × 10⁻⁷ mol L⁻¹. The biosensor also exhibited other advantages, good reproducibility, and long-term stability, and PdNPs/GR–CS nanocomposites film would be a promising material in the preparation of third generation biosensor.     

Synthesis and ion sensing properties of new colorimetric and fluorimetric chemosensors based on bithienyl-imidazo-anthraquinone chromophores

Novel colorimetric receptors for fluoride ion sensing containing anthraquinone as a chromogenic signaling unit and imidazo-2,2'-bithiophene binding sites are reported. Well-defined color change was observed upon addition of fluoride ions to acetonitrile solutions of receptors 2. Compounds 2a-c, deprotonated after fluoride ion addition, were studied as metal ion chemosensors in the presence of Zn(II), Hg(II), and Cu(II) in acetonitrile solutions, especially compound 2a which displayed a marked change from pink to yellow-gold colors upon complexation.     

Glucose biosensor based on immobilization of glucose oxidase in platinum nanoparticles/graphene/chitosan nanocomposite film

The bionanocomposite film consisting of glucose oxidase/Pt/functional graphene sheets/chitosan (GOD/Pt/FGS/chitosan) for glucose sensing is described. With the electrocatalytic synergy of FGS and Pt nanoparticles to hydrogen peroxide, a sensitive biosensor with a detection limit of 0.6 μM glucose was achieved. The biosensor also has good reproducibility, long-term stability and negligible interfering signals from ascorbic acid and uric acid comparing with the response to glucose. The large surface area and good electrical conductivity of graphene suggests that graphene is a potential candidate as a sensor material. The hybrid nanocomposite glucose sensor provides new opportunity for clinical diagnosis and point-of-care applications.     

Inside needle capillary adsorption trap device for headspace solid-phase dynamic extraction based on polyaniline/hexagonally ordered silica nanocomposite

Highly porous polyaniline/hexagonally ordered silica sorbent was used for fabrication of the inside needle capillary adsorption trap (INCAT) device. Polyaniline/SBA-15 nanocomposite was synthesized via chemical polymerization technique. The fabricated INCAT device was evaluated to the extraction of some polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous sample solutions in combination with gas chromatography (GC)-mass spectrometry (MS). A one at-the-time optimization strategy was applied for optimizing the important extraction parameters such as extraction temperature, extraction time, ionic strength, sampling flow rate, desorption time, and desorption temperature. In optimum conditions (extraction temperature 55 °C, extraction time 20 min, ionic strength 20% (w/v), flow rate 4.5 mL min(-1), desorption temperature 270 °C, desorption time 3 min) the repeatability for one INCAT device (n = 4), expressed as relative standard deviation, was between 4.2 and 10.2% for the tested compounds. The quantitation limits for the studied compounds were between 1 and 5 pg mL(-1). The developed method was successfully applied to spring water sample which was spiked with PAHs with the relative recovery percentages of 87.3-109.1%. The developed method offers the advantage of being simple to use, with shorter analysis times, lower cost of equipment, and thermal stability.     

Fabrication and characterization of a biocompatible hybrid film based on silver nanoparticle/ethyl cellulose polymer

Cellulose - This work deals with a green route to fabricate a biocompatible hybrid film composed of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and ethyl cellulose (EC). The hybrid film (AgNP/EC), with a...     

A novel method for D-arabinitol determination based on a nano-structured sensing film by one-step electrodeposition

Copper nanoparticles (Cu-NPs) were incorporated into chitosan hydrogel to form a film on the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) leading to a sensing element for D-arabinitol with excellent oxidative catalytic activity. The electrochemical response to D-arabinitol was studied by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. Operational parameters affecting the response were examined and optimized, and a simple and sensitive method was established for the determination of D-arabinitol. Response is linear in the concentration range from 10 μmol·L^?1 to 10 mmol·L^?1, and the limit of detection is 1.0 μmol·L^?1. The method may be combined with separation techniques in order to analyze for the ratio of D- and L-arabinitol which is a diagnostic marker for candidiasis.     

墨鱼骨有机质与纳米金复合膜光学传感器的构建及其应用

利用纳米金种法制备墨鱼骨有机质纳米金复合膜(CDMS/AuNPs),构建一种有机质复合纳米材料的光学传感器。采用扫描电镜(SEM)和紫外-可见吸收光谱对复合膜的结构和光学性质进行表征。根据金纳米颗粒(AuNPs)的局域表面等离子体共振(LSPR)效应,利用亚硝酸盐还原氯金酸诱导纳米金种生长,进而应用于亚硝酸盐的检测。在优化实验条件下,CDMS/AuNPs传感器的吸光度与亚硝酸盐的浓度在2.5×10-6～5.0×10-5mol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系(R=0.9950),检出限为8.0×10-7 mol/L(S/N=3)。     

Polythiophene-coated Fe3O4 superparamagnetic nanocomposite: Synthesis and application as a new sorbent for solid-phase extraction

In the present work, a novel type of superparamagnetic nanosorbent, polythiophene-coated Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@PTh NPs), have been successfully synthesized. The synthesized NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA). The synthesized Fe₃O₄@PTh NPs were applied as an efficient sorbent for extraction and preconcentration of several typical plasticizer compounds (di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and dioctyl adipate (DOA)) from environmental water samples. Separation of Fe₃O₄@PTh NPs from the aqueous solution was simply achieved by applying external magnetic field. Separation and determination of the extracted plasticizers was performed by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection (GC–FID). Several variables affecting the extraction efficiency of the analytes i.e., amount of NPs sorbent, salt concentration, extraction time, and desorption conditions were investigated and optimized. The best working conditions were as follows: amount of sorbent, 100 mg; NaCl concentration, 30% (w/v); sample volume, 45 mL; extraction time, 10 min; and 100 μL of ethyl acetate for desorption of the analytes within 2 min. Under optimized conditions, preconcentration factors for DBP, DEHP, and DOA were obtained as 86, 194, and 213, respectively. The calibration curves were linear (R² > 0.998) in the concentration range of 0.4–100 μg L⁻¹ for both DEHP and DOA and 0.7–100 μg L⁻¹ for DBP. The limits of detection (LODs) were obtained in the range of 0.2–0.4 μg L⁻¹. The intra-day relative standard deviations (RSDs%) based on four replicates were obtained in the range of 4.0–12.3%. The proposed procedure was applied to analysis of water samples including river water, bottled mineral water, and boiling water exposed to polyethylene container (after cooling) and recoveries between 85 and 99% and RSDs lower than 12.8% were obtained.     

A nanocomposite consisting of plasma-polymerized propargylamine and graphene for use in DNA sensing

We report on a novel graphene-based nanoarchitecture modified with plasma-polymerized propargylamine (G-PpPG) and its application in electrochemical sensors for DNA. Films of G-PpPG were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The presence of graphene enhances the electrochemical activity of the films, and the high density of amino groups (deposited at a low plasma input power) on their surface assists in the immobilization of probe DNA on the water-swollen polymeric network. By contrast, the degree of hybridization of the total complementary target DNA to the probe DNA remains unchanged when G-PpPG nanofilms prepared at higher input power. No substantial non-specific adsorption of totally mismatched target DNA on the polymer films is observed because of the complete coverage of the probe DNA. The detection limit for total complementary target DNA is approximately 1.84 nmol · L⁻¹. The dynamic range extends from 0.1 to 1,000 nmol · L⁻¹. The new nanocomposite may also be used to immobilize other probe DNA sequences, and this makes the approach potentially applicable to the detection of other oligomers.

Preparing the DNA sensor made from the graphene-based nanoarchitecture modified by using PpPG (G-PpPG) includes the following processes: (a) Modifying the Au electrode with the graphene nanosheet, (b) depositing the PpPG film onto the Au electrode coated with graphene, (c) immobilizing the probe DNA onto the G-PpPG film, and (d) hybridizing the MM0 target with the G-PpPG film immobilized with P1

     

A new method for reversible immobilization of thiol biomolecules based on solid-phase bound thiolsulfonate groups

A new method for the reversible immobilization of thiol bimolecules, e.g., thiolpeptides and thiolproteins, to beaded agarose and other solid phases is reported. The method consists of an activation and a coupling step. The activation is based on oxidation of disulfides (or thiol groups via disulfides) present in a solid phase by hydrogen peroxide at moderately acidic pH. This oxidation leads to disulfide oxides (thiolsulfinate groups of which the majority are further oxidized to thiolsulfonate). The thiolsulfonate groups react easily with thiol compounds, which become immobilized via disulfide bonds. The pH range for thiol coupling is wide (pH 5-8), but for most thiols the reaction seems to proceed faster at pH>7. The stability of the reactive group to hydrolysis, especially at neutral and weakly acidic pH, is very high. The activated gel, therefore, can be stored as a suspension at pH 5 for extended periods. The method has been used to reversibly immobilize glutathione, β-galactosidase, alcohol dehydrogenase, urease, and papain, all with exposed thiol groups as well as thiolated bovine serum albumin and sweet-potato β-amylase. Depending on the thiol content of starting thiol-agarose, thiol-sulfonate-agarose derivatives with different binding capacities can be obtained. Thus, up to 5.0 mg (16 μmol) glutathione and 15 mg thiol-protein/mL gel derivative have been immobilized.     

Amperometric biosensor based on hemoglobin immobilized on Cu2S nanorods/nafion nanocomposite film for the determination of polyphenols

A novel biosensor was fabricated based on hemoglobin (Hb) immobilized onto cuprous sulfide (Cu₂S) nanorods/nafion nanocomposite film for the detection of polyphenols in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). The nanostructured inorganic–organic hybrid material formed by Cu₂S nanorods and nafion provided a biocompatible microenvironment for Hb and increased the sensitivity for polyphenols detection. The modified electrodes were characterized by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry. Parameters such as pH, H₂O₂ concentration, and the applied potential were optimized. Under optimum conditions, the biosensor gave linear response ranges of 7.0–110, 0.6–10, and 8–100 μM for catechol, hydroquinone, and resorcin, with the detection limits of 0.5, 0.03, and 0.6 μM (S/N?=?3), respectively. The developed biosensor exhibited a short response time within only 8 s with good stability and reproducibility. Such a novel biosensor showed great promise for rapid, simple analysis of polyphenols contents in real samples.     

A nanocomposite consisting of plasma-polymerized propargylamine and graphene for use in DNA sensing

We report on a novel graphene-based nanoarchitecture modified with plasma-polymerized propargylamine (G-PpPG) and its application in electrochemical sensors for DNA. Films of G-PpPG were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The presence of graphene enhances the electrochemical activity of the films, and the high density of amino groups (deposited at a low plasma input power) on their surface assists in the immobilization of probe DNA on the water-swollen polymeric network. By contrast, the degree of hybridization of the total complementary target DNA to the probe DNA remains unchanged when G-PpPG nanofilms prepared at higher input power. No substantial non-specific adsorption of totally mismatched target DNA on the polymer films is observed because of the complete coverage of the probe DNA. The detection limit for total complementary target DNA is approximately 1.84 nmol?·?L^?1. The dynamic range extends from 0.1 to 1,000 nmol?·?L^?1. The new nanocomposite may also be used to immobilize other probe DNA sequences, and this makes the approach potentially applicable to the detection of other oligomers. Figure

Preparing the DNA sensor made from the graphene-based nanoarchitecture modified by using PpPG (G-PpPG) includes the following processes: (a) Modifying the Au electrode with the graphene nanosheet, (b) depositing the PpPG film onto the Au electrode coated with graphene, (c) immobilizing the probe DNA onto the G-PpPG film, and (d) hybridizing the MM0 target with the G-PpPG film immobilized with P1     

A selective membrane electrode for iodide ion based on a thiopyrilium ion derivative as a new ionophore

A highly selective electrode for iodide ion based on a thiopyrilium derivative as an excellent ionophore is described. At pH 5.5-8.0, the electrode responds to iodide ion in a linear range from 1.0×10⁻¹ to 8.0×10⁻⁷ M with a slope of 60.2 mV per decade, and a detection limit of 2.0×10⁻⁷ M. Selectivity coefficients determined with the match potential method (MPM) indicate that the interference from inorganic and organic anions is very small. The proposed sensor shows a fast response time of approximately 15 s. It was applied as an indicator electrode in titration of iodide with Ag⁺.     

Preparation and evaluation of solid-phase microextraction fibres based on functionalized latex nanoparticle coatings for trace analysis of inorganic anions

The use of a functionalized latex nanoparticle coating as a new sorbent phase for solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was examined. By means of electrostatic absorption onto ionized silanol groups, a fused-silica rod was coated with polymeric nanoparticles functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups. Optimum conditions for the preparation of the coated fibre are presented. The fibre was used for the extraction of a mixture of seven anions from water samples which are analysed by coupling the SPME fibre to an ion chromatographic system via a special interface. The results obtained proved the suitability of this novel coating as a new SPME fibre. A linear calibration for the target analytes was achieved over the concentration range from 5 μg L⁻¹ to 5 mg L⁻¹ (r² > 0.988), while limits of detection for these ions were all below 3.7 μg L⁻¹ (S/N = 3). The reproducibility of a single fibre (n = 4) under similar conditions was between 7 and 12%, while the fibre to fibre reproducibility (n = 5) was between 8.9 and 14%.     

Electrochemical sensing of DNA immobilization and hybridization based on carbon nanotubes/nano zinc oxide/chitosan composite film

A novel electrochemical DNA biosensor based on zinc oxide （ZnO） nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes （MWNTs） for DNA immobilization and enhanced hybridization detection is presented. The MWNTs/nano ZnO/chitosan composite film modified glassy carbon electrode （MWNTs/ZnO/CHIT/GCE） was fabricated and DNA probes were immobilized on the electrode surface. The hybridization events were monitored by differential pulse voltammetry （DPV） using methylene blue （MB） as an indicator. The sensor can effectively discriminate different DNA sequences related to PAT gene in the transgenic corn, with a detection limit of 2.8× 10^-12 mol/L of target sequence.     

A new nanocomposite catalyst based on clay-supported heteropolyacid for the green synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles

Intercalation of cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA⁺) cations within the nanolayers of montmorillonite (MMT) clay followed by reaction with Keggin-type phosphomolybdic acid (PMo) resulted in the synthesis of (CTA)₃PMo-MMT nanocomposite catalyst. The prepared nanocomposite catalyst was characterized using different physicochemical methods such as Fourier-transform infrared and inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption (Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method) analyses. Characterization techniques demonstrated the intercalation of (CTA)₃PMo species into the nanolayers of MMT. The resulting (CTA)₃PMo-MMT nanocomposite catalyst efficiently catalyzed the synthesis of 2,4,5-trisubstituted imidazoles under solvent-free conditions. The efficiency is due to the fact that the presence of CTA⁺ species makes the nanocomposite catalyst hydrophobic and facilitates the accessibility of hydrophobic reactants to active sites in the course of the reaction. High activity and selectivity were achieved in the presence of the prepared nanocomposite catalyst. The nanocomposite catalyst was readily isolated from the reaction mixture using simple filtration, washed with ethanol, and recycled five times without a major loss of activity.     

Determination of trace amounts of cadmium,copper and nickel in environmental water and food samples using GO/MgO nanocomposite as a new sorbent

A solid phase extraction method based on graphene oxide (GO) modified with magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles was developed for the preconcentration and determination of trace amounts of cadmium, copper and nickel ions. The adsorbed analytes were eluted by 4.0 mL of 0.1 M (EDTA) and injected to flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The factors influencing the complex formation and extraction of these heavy metals were optimized. Studies on potential interference by various anions and cations showed the method to be highly selective. The preconcentration factor was about 11 with relative standard deviation of <4.0 for 8 replication determination. The detection limits for the Cd, Cu, Ni were found to be 0.5, 3.4 and 25 µg L^?1, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of cadmium, copper and nickel in tap water, well water, sea water, rice and macaroni samples with spike recoveries ranging 93–105 %.     

A novel lable-free electrochemical immunosensor for carcinoembryonic antigen based on gold nanoparticles-thionine-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite film modified glassy carbon electrode

In this paper, gold nanoparticle-thionine-reduced graphene oxide (GNP-THi-GR) nanocomposites were prepared to design a label-free immunosensor for the sensitive detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). The nanocomposites with good biocompatibility, excellent redox electrochemical activity and large surface area were coated onto the glassy carbon electrode (GCE) surface and then CEA antibody (anti-CEA) was immobilized on the electrode to construct the immunosensor. The morphologies and electrochemistry of the formed nanocomposites were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) studies demonstrated that the formation of antibody-antigen complexes decreased the peak current of THi in the GNP-THi-GR nanocomposites. The decreased currents were proportional to the CEA concentration in the range of 10-500 pg/mL with a detection limit of 4 pg/mL. The proposed method was simple, fast and inexpensive for the determination of CEA at very low levels.     

A luminescent nanosensor for Hg(II) based on functionalized CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

Luminescent and stable CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) capped with L-carnitine are firstly prepared for optical determination of mercury ions in ethanol. LC capped QDs have desirable dispersibility, uniformity and good fluorescence properties and were characterized by fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectra. The functionalized QDs turned out to exhibit excellent long-term stability. The modified QDs allowed a highly sensitive determination of mercury ions via analyte-induced changes in the photoluminescence of them. A detection limit of 1.8 × 10⁻⁷ M (36.1 μg · L⁻¹) of mercury ions was obtained, while the interfering effect of other ions (including alkali metal ions, alkali earth metal ions, Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Ag⁺ and anions such as NO₃ ⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, CO₃ ²⁻ and halogen ions) was negligible even at a very high concentration. The possible mechanism is discussed. Correspondence: Haibing Li, Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology (CCNU), Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, P.R. China; Zhinong Gao, College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, P.R. China