Polymer Dots of Peryleneimide‐Functionalized Polyethyleneimine: Facile Synthesis and Effective Fluorescent Sensing of Iron (III) Ions

A simple and low‐cost method is reported here for synthesizing polymer dots (PDs) using branched polyethyleneimine and peryleneimide derivatives as precursors heated in dimethylacetamide. The as‐prepared PDs can be well‐dispersed in water and show excitation‐dependent fluorescence, stable fluorescence over a wide range (pH = 5.0 – 9.0), and high photostability. It is demonstrated that the prepared PDs can be used as a novel fluorescent sensing platform for sensitive and selective detection of Fe (III) ions. The fluorescent PDs may be applied to promising applications in chemical sensors for metal ions, as well as biological imaging or biological labeling for their excellent fluorescence properties.

     

Coordination Polymer Nanobelts as an Effective Sensing Platform for Fluorescence‐enhanced Nucleic Acid Detection

In this communication, the application of coordination polymer nanobelts (CPNs) assembled from H₂PtCl₆ and 3,3′,5,5′‐tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) are explored as an effective fluorescent sensing platform for nucleic acid detection for the first time. The suggested method has a high selectivity down to single‐base mismatch. DNA detection is accomplished by the following two steps: (1) CPN binds fluorecent dye‐labeled single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA) probe via both electrostatic attraction and π‐π stacking interactions between unpaired DNA bases and CPN. As a result, the fluorescent dye is brought into close proximity to CPN and substantial fluorescence quenching occurs due to photoinduced electron transfer from the nitrogen atom in CPN to the excited fluorophore. (2) The hybridization of adsorbed ssDNA probe with its target generates a double stranded DNA (dsDNA). The duplex cannot be adsorbed by CPN due to its rigid conformation and the absence of unpaired DNA bases, leading to an obvious fluorescence enhancement.

     

Development of Fluorescent Film Sensors Based on Electropolymerization for Iron(III) Ion Detection

Two electroactive materials, M1 and M2 , are synthesized and their fluorescent electropolymerized (EP) films are prepared and used to detect metal ions. From the tested metal ions, M1 and M2 are demonstrated to be sensitive and selective for Fe³⁺ ions. In particular, M2 exhibits higher sensitivity towards Fe³⁺ ions. The fluorescent detection ranges from 10^?5 M to 4×10^?4 M . The excellent performance of the EP fluorescent films is mainly due to the strong metal‐chelated properties of M2 and the intrinsic porous cross‐linked‐network microstructure of the EP films. This study, thus, provides a promising Fe³⁺ sensing candidate and a potential preparation method for fluorescent sensing films.     

Highly Luminescent N‐Doped Carbon Quantum Dots as an Effective Multifunctional Fluorescence Sensing Platform

The doping of carbon quantum dots with nitrogen provides a promising direction to improve fluorescence performance and broaden their applications in sensing systems. Herein we report a one‐pot solvothermal synthesis of N‐doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) and the synthesis of a series of NCQDs with different nitrogen contents. The as‐prepared NCQDs were compared with carbon quantum dots (CQDs); the introduction of nitrogen atoms largely increased the quantum yield of NCQDs and highest emission efficiency is up to 36.3 %. The fluorescence enhancement may originate from more polyaromatic structures induced by incorporated nitrogen atoms and protonation of nitrogen atoms on dots. It was found that NCQDs can act as a multifunctional fluorescence sensing platform because they can be used to detect pH values, Ag^I, and Fe^III in aqueous solution. The fluorescence intensity of NCQDs is inversely proportional to pH values across a broad range from 5.0 to 13.5, which indicates that NCQDs can be devised as an effective pH indicator. Selective detection of Ag^I and Fe^III was achieved based on their distinctive fluorescence influence because Ag^I can significantly enhance the fluorescence whereas Fe^III can greatly quench the fluorescence. The quantitative determination of Ag^I can be accomplished with NCQDs by using the linear relationship between fluorescence intensity of NCQDs and concentration of Ag^I. The sensitive detection of H₂O₂ was developed by taking advantage of the distinct quenching ability of Fe^III and Fe^II toward the fluorescence of NCQDs. Cellular toxicity test showed NCQDs still retain low toxicity to cells despite the introduction of a great deal of nitrogen atoms. Moreover, bioimaging experiments demonstrated that NCQDs have stronger resistance to photobleaching than CQDs and more excellent fluorescence labeling performance.     

Iron(III)‐Selective Chelation‐Enhanced Fluorescence Sensing for In Vivo Imaging Applications

A “turn‐on” pattern Fe³⁺‐selective fluorescent sensor was synthesized and characterized that showed high fluorescence discrimination of Fe³⁺ over Fe²⁺ and other tested ions. With a 62‐fold fluorescence enhancement towards Fe³⁺, the probe was employed to detect Fe³⁺ in vivo in HeLa cells and Caenorhabditis elegans, and it was also successfully used to elucidate Fe³⁺ enrichment and exchange infected by innexin3 (Inx3) in hemichannel‐closed Sf9 cells.     

Iron(III)‐Quantity‐Dependent Aggregation–Dispersion Conversion of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles

Developing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with well‐designed functionality is highly desirable for boosting the performance and versatility of inorganic–organic hybrid materials. In an attempt to achieve ion recognition with specific signal expressions, we present here 4‐piperazinyl‐1,8‐naphthalimide‐functionalized AuNPs for the realization of quantitative recognition of Fe^III ions with dual (colorimetric and fluorescent) output. The research takes advantage of 1) quantity‐controlled chelation‐mode transformation of the piperazinyl moiety on the AuNPs towards Fe^III, thereby resulting in an aggregation–dispersion conversion of the AuNPs in solution, and 2) photoinduced electron transfer of a naphthaimide fluorophore on the AuNPs, thus leading to reversible absorption and emission changes. The functional AuNPs are also responsive to pH variations. This strategy for realizing the aggregation–dispersion conversion of AuNPs with returnable signal output might exhibit application potential for advanced nanoscale chemosensors.     

Differential Detection of Zn2+ and Cd2+ Ions by BODIPY‐Based Fluorescent Sensors

Two monostyryl BODIPY derivatives that contain one or two bis(hydroxyamido)amino group(s) as the metal chelator have been prepared. The effects of various metal ions on their electronic absorption and fluorescence properties have been studied in detail in MeCN or in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The results show that the derivative with two hydroxyamide chains can selectively detect Zn²⁺ ions in MeCN. The compound and ions bind in a 1:1 stoichiometry with an association constant of 2.2(±0.1)×10⁴ M ^?1. The intensity of the fluorescence emission increases remarkably and is substantially blue‐shifted from 624 to 572 nm, owing to the inhibition of intramolecular charge transfer, thus allowing its use as a ratiometric fluorescent sensor for Zn²⁺ ions. The derivative with four hydroxyamide chains behaves differently: It responds selectively toward Cd²⁺ ions in phosphate buffered saline. The compound and ions bind in a 1:2 stoichiometry, with first and second association constants of 4.4(±0.9)×10⁴ M ^?1 and 1.3(±0.1)×10⁴ M ^?1, respectively. Upon the addition of 80 equivalents of Cd²⁺ ions, the fluorescence quantum yield increases 15‐fold. Both of these compounds exhibit differential sensing of Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions and the associated color changes can be easily seen by the naked eye.     

Bio‐Inspired Fabrication of Lotus Leaf Like Membranes as Fluorescent Sensing Materials

A fluorescent organic small molecule, hexaphenylsilole (HPS), has been used as a sensing material, while a HPS/polymethyl methacrylate composite film with a lotus leaf like structure is prepared by a simple electrospin method. The film shows high stability and excellent sensitivity for the metal ions Fe³⁺ and Hg²⁺, respectively. The special surface morphology containing micro‐/nanocomposite structure is attributed to the exhibition of these unusual properties.     

A New Sensor for Simultaneous Determination of Tyrosine and Dopamine Using Iron(III) Doped Zeolite Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

A new chemically modified electrode is constructed based on iron(III) doped zeolite modified carbon paste electrode (Fe³⁺Y/ZMCPE). The new sensor could be used for the simultaneous determination of the biologically important compounds dopamine (DA) and tyrosine (Tyr). The measurements are carried out using differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) method. The prepared modified electrode shows voltammetric responses of high sensitivity, selectivity and stability for DA and Tyr under optimal conditions, which makes it a suitable sensor for simultaneous trace detection of DA and Tyr in solution. Application of the DPV method demonstrates that in the Briton Robinson buffer solutions (pH=5) containing 50 µmol/L Tyr, there is a linear relationship between the oxidation peaks and the concentrations of DA over the range of 0.1–200 µmol/L, with a detection limit of 0.05 µmol/L (S/N=3). For Tyr a linear correlation between oxidation peak current and concentration of Tyr over the range of 0.5–200 µmol/L (containing 50 µmol/L DA), with a detection limit of 0.08 µmol/L is obtained. The analytical performances of this sensor are evaluated for the detection of DA and Tyr in human serum and a medicine.     

Electrochemical Treatment of Glassy Carbon for Label‐Free Detection of DNA Bases and Neurotransmitters

Electrochemically reduced glassy carbon (r‐GC) showed a superior electrochemical sensing performance, compared to oxidized GC (ox‐GC) and untreated GC for the oxidation of 4 DNA bases and neurotransmitters (epinephrine, norepinephrine and serotonin). r‐GC exhibited not only the largest current intensities of all redox biomolecules, but also displayed an excellent selectivity in detecting coexisting redox biomolecules. The enhanced performance of r‐GC was attributed to the improved surface cleanliness of electrode and its catalytic surface functional groups. The results presented herein imply that simple electrochemical treatments are a viable method to produce sensitive and selective electrodes for label‐free biosensing.     

Carbon Dots Derived from Coffee Residue for Sensitive and Selective Detection of Picric Acid and Iron(III) Ions

Afacile method was developed to prepare carbon dots(CDs) by pyrolysis and etching of coffee residue. The as-prepared CDs show uniform spherical nanoparticles with an average size of 2.3 nm and exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence emissions. Moreover, CDs also exhibit strong fluorescence quenching to nitro compounds and metal ions in both water and ethanol solutions, which could act as a platform for dual detection of PA(picric acid) and Fe³⁺ ions with low detection limits of 0.26 and 0.83 μmol/L, respectively. This work provides a novel method for preparation of environmental-friendly fluorescent CDs and shows their potential applications in photoluminescence sensors.     

Keggin 型磷钨酸盐修饰碳糊电极传感多巴胺的研究

多金属氧酸盐作为一类阴离子簇合物,由于其结构的多样性和尺寸大小的可调变性,在电化学、催化和药学等领域引起了人们的广泛关注.本文制备了多酸Co(C₁₅N₆H₁₂)₂[PW₁₂O₃₈]·5H₂O（Co[PW₁₂O₃₈]）修饰碳糊电极并通过电化学阻抗谱、循环伏安法以及差分脉冲伏安法对多巴胺的传感性能进行了研究.对其制备条件和检测条件分别进行了优化.在优化条件下,制备的传感器对多巴胺具有良好的选择性和灵敏度的检测能力.多巴胺的线性响应范围为8.0x10^-6 mol·L^-1至3x10^-5 mol·L^-1,灵敏度为0.039 μA·(μmol·L^-1)^-1,检出限（S/N=3）为5.4 x10^-6 mol·L^-1. 制备的多酸修饰碳糊电极用于检测多巴胺表现出良好的稳定性和重现性,并且对抗坏血酸、尿酸等常见的干扰物质,具有良好的抗干扰性. 多酸修饰的碳糊电极制备过程简单方便,成本低,传感性能良好,对应用于电化学传感器检测多巴胺具备潜在的应用前景.      

Rational Design of an “OFF–ON” Phosphorescent Chemodosimeter Based on an Iridium(III) Complex and Its Application for Time‐Resolved Luminescent Detection and Bioimaging of Cysteine and Homocysteine

Biothiols, such as cysteine (Cys) and homocysteine (Hcy), play very crucial roles in biological systems. Abnormal levels of these biothiols are often associated with many types of diseases. Therefore, the detection of Cys (or Hcy) is of great importance. In this work, we have synthesized an excellent “OFF‐ON” phosphorescent chemodosimeter 1 for sensing Cys and Hcy with high selectivity and naked‐eye detection based on an Ir^III complex containing a 2,4‐dinitrobenzenesulfonyl (DNBS) group within its ligand. The “OFF‐ON” phosphorescent response can be assigned to the electron‐transfer process from Ir^III center and C^N ligands to the DNBS group as the strong electron‐acceptor, which can quench the phosphorescence of probe 1 completely. The DNBS group can be cleaved by thiols of Cys or Hcy, and both the ³M LCT and ³LC states are responsible for the excited‐state properties of the reaction product of probe 1 and Cys (or Hcy). Thus, the phosphorescence is switched on. Based on these results, a general principle for designing “OFF‐ON” phosphorescent chemodosimeters based on heavy‐metal complexes has been provided. Importantly, utilizing the long emission‐lifetime of phosphorescence signal, the time‐resolved luminescent assay of 1 in sensing Cys was realized successfully, which can eliminate the interference from the short‐lived background fluorescence and improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. As far as we know, this is the first report about the time‐resolved luminescent detection of biothiols. Finally, probe 1 has been used successfully for bioimaging the changes of Cys/Hcy concentration in living cells.     

Highly Water‐Soluble,Fluorescent, Conjugated Fluorene‐Based Glycopolymers with Poly(ethylene glycol)‐Tethered Spacers for Sensitive Detection of Escherichia coli

Know your bacteria! Two fluorene‐based, conjugated polymers with oligo(ethylene glycol)‐ and poly(ethylene glycol)‐tethered spacers have been prepared by the Suzuki coupling polymerization reactions. β‐Glucose and α‐mannose residues were covalently attached to the conjugated polymers by post‐polymerization functionalization with thiol‐functionalized carbohydrates under basic conditions. Investigations on their use as biosensing materials for the detection of Escherichia coli are reported (see figure).

     

Polymer/Iron Oxide Nanoparticle Modified Glassy Carbon Electrodes for the Enhanced Detection of Epinephrine

Novel electrochemical sensors for epinephrine (EP) based on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with a redox polymer film and iron (III) oxide nanoparticles (Fe₂O₃NP) have been developed. Two redox polymers‐poly(brilliant cresyl blue) (PBCB) and poly(Nile blue) (PNB), and two different architectures‐polymer/Fe₂O₃/GCE and Fe₂O₃/polymer/GCE were investigated. The electrochemical oxidation of epinephrine at the modified electrodes was performed by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), in pH 7 electrolyte, and the analytical parameters were determined. The results show enhanced performance, more sensitive responses and lower detection limits at the modified electrodes, compared to other electrochemical epinephrine sensors reported in the literature. The best voltammetric response with the lowest detection limit was obtained for the determination of epinephrine at PBCB/Fe₂O₃/GCE. The novel sensors are reusable, with good reproducibility and stability, and were successfully applied to the determination of epinephrine in commercial injectable adrenaline samples.