Probing phosphate ion via the europium(III)-modulated fluorescence of gold nanoclusters

Fluorescent gold nanoclusters (Au-NCs) were synthesized by a one-pot method using 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid as a reducing and capping reagent. It is found that the red fluorescence of the Au-NCs is quenched by the introduction of Eu(III) at pH 7.0, but that fluorescence is restored on addition of phosphate. The Au-NCs were investigated by transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence photographs. The effect of pH on fluorescence was studied in the range from pH 6 to 10 and is found to be strong. Based on these findings, we have developed an assay for phosphate. Ions such as citrate, Fe(CN)₆ ³⁻, SO₄ ²⁻, S₂O₈ ²⁻, Cl⁻, HS⁻, Br⁻, AcO⁻, NO₂ ⁻, SCN⁻, ClO₄ ⁻, HCO₃ ⁻, NO₃ ⁻, Cd²⁺, Ba²⁺, Zn²⁺, Mg²⁺, and glutamate do not interfere, but ascorbate and Fe³⁺ can quench Au-NCs fluorescence. The fluorescent nanocluster probe responds to phosphate in the range from 0.18 to 250 μM, and the detection limit is 180 nM. The probe also responds to pyrophosphate and ATP.

Off/on fluorescence sensor for phosphate based on Eu³⁺-modulated Au NCs thanks to the competition of oxygen-donor atoms from phosphate with those from the carboxylate groups was developed

     

Determination of nitrite, nitrate, bromide, and iodide in seawater by ion chromatography with UV detection using dilauryldimethylammonium-coated monolithic ODS columns and sodium chloride as an eluent

A method was developed for determination of inorganic anions, including nitrite (NO ₂ ^? ), nitrate (NO ₃ ^? ), bromide (Br^?), and iodide (I^?), in seawater by ion chromatography (IC). The IC system used two dilauryldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB)-coated monolithic ODS columns (50?×?4.6?mm i.d. and 100?×?4.6?mm i.d.) connected in series for separation of the ions. Aqueous NaCl (0.5?mol/L; flow rate, 3?mL/min) containing 5?mmol/L phosphate buffer (pH 5) was used as the eluent, and detection was with a UV detector at 225?nm. The monolithic ODS columns were coated and equilibrated with a 1-mmol/L DDAB solution (in H₂O/methanol, 90:10 v/v). The hydrophilic ions (NO ₂ ^? , NO ₃ ^? , and Br^?) were separated within 3?min and the retention time of I^? was 16?min. No interferences from matrix ions, such as chloride and sulfate ions, were observed in 35?‰ artificial seawater. The detection limits were 0.6?μg/L for NO ₂ ^? , 1.1?μg/L for NO ₃ ^? , 70?μg/L for Br^?, and 1.6?μg/L for I^? with a 200-μL sample injection. The performance of the coated columns was maintained without addition of DDAB in the eluent. The IC system was successfully applied to real seawater samples with recovery rates of 94–108?% for all ions.

New synthesis of gold nanocorals using a diazonium compound,and their application to an electrochemiluminescent assay of hydrogen peroxide

The reaction of hydrogen tetracholoroaurate, sodium borohydride and the diazonium compound prepared from 4-aminobenzoic acid results in the formation of gold nanocorals (Au-NCs) for the first time. Scanning electron microscopy images and transmission electron microscopy images show that the Au-NCs are composed of nanowires with a diameter of 5.3 nm. A glassy carbon electrode modified with Au-NCs is found to trigger intense electrochemiluminescence of the luminol/H₂O₂ system at a potential of ?0.13 V. The effect was exploited to determine H₂O₂ in the 0.1 to 100 μM concentration range with a 30 nM detection limit.

A thin poly(acridine orange) film containing reduced graphene oxide for voltammetric simultaneous sensing of ascorbic acid and uric acid

We have fabricated, in a single step, carbon ceramic electrodes modified with a poly(acridine orange) film containing reduced graphene oxide. They display electrocatalytic activity to ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) at pH 4.5. The anodic peak potentials of AA and UA are separated by 276 mV so that they can be well resolved in cyclic voltammetry. UA and AA were simultaneously determined in a mixture at working potentials of 170 and 400 mV, respectively. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves for AA and UA cover the 0.8–5,000 μM and 0.6–900 μM concentration range, respectively, while detection limits are 0.3 μM and 0.2 μM. The electrode was applied to determine AA and UA in urine samples.

Mesoporous ZnO-NiO architectures for use in a high-performance nonenzymatic glucose sensor

Mesoporous ZnO-NiO architectures were prepared by thermal annealing of zinc-nickel hydroxycarbonate composites. The resulting architectures are shown to be assembled by many mesoporous nanosheets, and this results in a large surface area and a strong synergy between the ZnO and NiO nanoparticles. The material obtained by annealing at 400 °C was used as an electrode that responds to glucose over a wide concentration range (from 0.5 μM to 6.4 mM), with a detection limit as low as 0.5 μM, fast response time (<3 s), and good sensitivity (120.5 μA?·?mM^?1?·?cm^?2). Figure

The mesoporous ZnO-NiO architecture by annealing at 400 °C was used as an electrode that responds to glucose over a wide concentration range (from 0.5 μM to 6.4 mM), with a detection limit as low as 0.5 μM, fast response time (<3 s), and good sensitivity (120.5 μA?·?mM^?1?·?cm^?2      

Voltammetric and amperometric determination of hydrogen peroxide using a carbon-ceramic electrode modified with a nanohybrid composite made from single-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles

A nanohybrid composite material was prepared from single-walled carbon nanotubes and silver nanoparticles, and used to fabricate a modified carbon-ceramic electrode. The preparation of the composite is facile and efficient. The nanohybrid composite deposited on the carbon-ceramic electrode was characterized by X-ray diffraction and cyclic voltammetry. The new electrode displays favorable electrocatalytic ability towards hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and can be used to electrocatalytically reduce this species. Under the optimum conditions, the current measured during hydrodynamic amperometry is linearly related to the concentration of H₂O₂ over the concentration range from 0.01 to 8 mM, with a detection limit of 2?×?10^?7 M at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3 and sensitivity of 3.23 μA/mM. The electrode exhibits good reproducibility, long-term stability and negligible interference by dopamine, uric acid, and other important biological compounds. The electrode was successfully applied to the determination of H₂O₂ in honey samples, and the recovery was 101.2%.

Determination of cadmium(II) using glassy carbon electrodes modified with cupferron, ß-naphthol, and multiwalled carbon nanotubes

We report on a simple and reliable method for the determination of trace cadmium ion using a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with cupferron, ß-naphthol and MWCNTs. The operational mechanism consists of several steps: first, the ligand cupferron on the modified electrode reacts with Cd²⁺ ion to form a chelate compound. Next, this chelate is adsorbed by the carrier ß-naphthol following the principle of organic co-precipitation. Finally, the coprecipitated complex is detected by the GCE. This scheme is interesting because it combines preconcentration and electrochemical detection. Two linear responses are obtained, one in the concentration range of 5.0?×?10^?11 to 1.6?×?10^?8 M, the other in the range of 1.6?×?10^?8 to 1.42?×?10^?6 M, with a lower detection limit of 1.6?×?10^?11 M. This modified GCE does not suffer from significant interferences by Cu(II), Hg(II), Ag(I), Fe(III), Pb(II), Cr(III), Zn(II), NO^3?, Cl^?, SO ₄ ^2? ions and EDTA. The response of the electrode remained constant for at least 3 weeks of successive operation. The method presented here provides a new way for the simultaneous separation, enrichment, and electrochemical detection of trace cadmium ion.

Electromembrane extraction (EME)—an easy, novel and rapid extraction procedure for the HPLC determination of fluoroquinolones in wastewater samples

For the first time, an electromembrane extraction combined with a HPLC procedure using diode array and fluorescence detection has been developed for the determination of seven widely used fluoroquinolones (FQs): marbofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, danofloxacin, enrofloxacin, gatifloxacin and grepafloxacin. The drugs were extracted from acid aqueous sample solutions (pH 5), through a supported liquid membrane consisting of 1-octanol impregnated in the walls of a S6/2 Accurel® polypropylene hollow fiber, to an acid (pH 2) aqueous acceptor solution inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. The main operational parameters were optimized, and extractions were carried out in 15 min using a potential of 50 V. Enrichment factors of 40–85 have been obtained using only 15 min of extraction time versus 330 min used in a previously proposed hollow-fiber liquid-phase microextraction procedure. The procedure allows low detection and quantitation limits of 0.005–0.07 and 0.007–0.15 μg?L^?1, respectively. The proposed method was successfully applied to the FQs analysis in urban wastewaters.

On-line species-unspecific isotope dilution analysis in the picomolar range reveals the time- and species-depending mercury uptake in human astrocytes

In order to reveal the time-depending mercury species uptake by human astrocytes, a novel approach for total mercury analysis is presented, which uses an accelerated sample introduction system combined on-line with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer equipped with a collision/reaction cell. Human astrocyte samples were incubated with inorganic mercury (HgCl₂), methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl), and thimerosal. After 1-h incubation with Hg²⁺, cellular concentrations of 3 μM were obtained, whereas for organic species, concentrations of 14–18 μM could be found. After 24 h, a cellular accumulation factor of 0.3 was observed for the cells incubated with Hg²⁺, whereas the organic species both showed values of about 5. Due to the obtained steady-state signals, reliable results with relative standard deviations of well below 5 % and limits of detection in the concentration range of 1 ng L^?1 were obtained using external calibration and species-unspecific isotope dilution analysis approaches. The results were further validated using atomic fluorescence spectrometry.

Synthesis of multi-branched gold nanoparticles by reduction of tetrachloroauric acid with Tris base, and their application to SERS and cellular imaging

A biosensor for hydrogen peroxide was constructed by immobilizing horseradish peroxidase on chitosan-wrapped NiFe₂O₄ nanoparticles on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE). The electron mediator carboxyferrocene was also immobilized on the surface of the GCE. UV?Cvis spectra, Fourier transform IR spectra, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectra were acquired to characterize the biosensor. The experimental conditions were studied and optimized. The biosensor responds linearly to H₂O₂ in the range from 1.0?×?10^?5 to 2.0?×?10^?3?M and with a detection limit of 2.0?×?10^?6?M (at S/N?=?3).

Fluorescent sensing of nitrite at nanomolar level using functionalized mesoporous silica

Aminopyrene was covalently anchored onto mesoporous silica through serial post-grafting to obtain a fluorescent solid that can be used as a sensing material for the determination of nitrite. The latter, in acidic medium, reacts with the secondary amino groups on the material to form a non-fluorescent nitroso derivative. Based on the fluorescence quenching caused by this specific reaction, a method was developed for the determination of nitrite at nanomolar levels. The range for detection of nitrite in 1.5?mol.L^?1 HCl is linear between 1.50?nM to 0.45???M and 0.45???M to 2.22???M, the detection limit being 1.10?nM and 0.307???M respectively at an S/N of 3.

Electrochemical determination of NADH using a glassy carbon electrode modified with Fe3O4 nanoparticles and poly-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, and its application to the determination of antioxidant capacity

We have prepared a glassy carbon electrode modified with poly-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and with magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. This modification enhances the effective surface area and the electrocatalytic oxidation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) in addition to providing positively charged groups for electrostatic assembly of the phosphate group of NADH. The modified electrode responds linearly to NADH in the range from 5?×?10^?8 to 2.5?×?10^?5?M and gives a lower detection limit of 1?×?10^?8?M. It displays satisfactory selectivity and reproducibility. The sensor was applied to rapid screening of plant extracts for their antioxidant properties.

Study by fluorescence of calix[4]arenes bearing heterocycles with anions: highly selective detection of iodide

The present work describes a study of complexation efficiency of calix[4]arenes bearing benzoimidazolyl, benzothiazolyl, and benzoxazolyl heterocycles (5–7) towards several anions. The binding ability of calixarene derivatives 5–7 towards selected anions of different molecular geometries such as: F^?, HSO₄ ^?, I^?, N₃ ^?, NO₃ ^?, NO₂ ^?, SCN^?, ClO₄ ^?, Br^?, CN^?, Cl^?, CH₃COO^? CF₃SO₃ ^? in methanol, has been investigated by fluorescence spectroscopic techniques, all anions were used as tetrabutylammonium salts to avoid possible complexation of cationic species by the derivative calix[4]arenes. Fluorescent chemosensor ability of these three calixarene derivatives was highly selective for iodide in contrast with other anions studied. The best chemosensor found, corresponds to compound 7, with an association constant of 2.01 × 10⁴ mol^?1 L and a detection limits of 0.22 ppm for iodide.     

Synthesis, structures, and photoluminescence of heteroligand complexes Ln(L)(iso-Bu2PS2)2(NO3) (Ln = Sm, Tb, Dy; L = Phen, 2,2′-Bipy)

Heteroligand complexes Ln(L)(iso-Bu₂PS₂)₂(NO₃) (Ln = Sm, Tb, Dy; L = Phen, 2,2??-Bipy) (I?CVI) are synthesized. The structure of Dy(Phen)(iso-Bu₂PS₂)₂(NO₃) (III) is determined from the data of X-ray structure analysis. The crystal structure of complex III is based on discrete mononuclear molecules in which the Dy atom has distorted dodecahedral coordination (polyhedron N₂O₂S₄). The ligands Phen, iso-Bu₂PS ₂ ^? and NO ₃ ^? are bidentate-cyclic. According to the X-ray diffraction analysis data, complexes I and II are isostructural to compound III. Complexes I?CVI have photoluminescence in the visible spectral range. The photoluminescence spectra of solid samples of compounds I?CVI exhibit bands corresponding to the radiative electron transitions of the Sm³⁺, Tb³⁺, and Dy³⁺ ions. Among the studied compounds I?CVI, the Tb(III) complexes are characterized by the most intense photoluminescence.     

Hemin-adsorbed carbon felt for sensitive and rapid flow-amperometric detection of dissolved oxygen

Hemin was physically adsorbed onto porous carbon felt (CF), a microelectrode ensemble of micro-carbon fiber (ca. 7 μm in diameter) and possessing a three-dimensional random structure. The hemin-CF exhibited a well-defined redox wave that is due to Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox process in hemin, with a formal potential of ?0.32 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in deoxygenated buffer solution of pH 7.0. The surface coverage of the electroactive hemin molecules on the surface of the CF was calculated to be 5.0?×?10^?11 mol cm^?2, and the apparent heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant is 3.35 s^?1. The hemin-CF electrode displays excellent electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of dissolved oxygen (DO), and the magnitude of the cathodic current increases with increasing concentrations of DO in the sample solution. The electrode was used as a flow-through detector for sensitive and rapid consecutive determination of DO. Deoxygenated pH 7.0 solutions were analyzed at a flow rate of 8.0 mL min^?1 at an applied potential of ?0.2 V, and highly reproducible cathodic peak current responses to DO were observed in the 0.72 to 13.3 mg L^?1 concentration range. The maximum throughput is 170 samples h^?1. The hemin-CF-based amperometric flow-sensor was applied to determine the concentration of DO in environmental water samples.

Fluorine Bonding Enhances the Energetics of Protein-Lipid Binding in the Gas Phase

This paper reports on the first experimental study of the energies of noncovalent fluorine bonding in a protein-ligand complex in the absence of solvent. Arrhenius parameters were measured for the dissociation of gaseous deprotonated ions of complexes of bovine β-lactoglobulin (Lg), a model lipid-binding protein, and four fluorinated analogs of stearic acid (SA), which contained (X =) 13, 15, 17, or 21 fluorine atoms. In all cases, the activation energies (E_a) measured for the loss of neutral XF-SA from the (Lg + XF-SA)^7– ions are larger than for SA. From the kinetic data, the average contribution of each?>?CF₂ group to E_a was found to be ~1.1 kcal mol^–1, which is larger than the ~0.8 kcal mol^–1 value reported for?>?CH₂ groups. Based on these results, it is proposed that fluorocarbon–protein interactions are inherently stronger (enthalpically) than the corresponding hydrocarbon interactions.

Solid-phase preconcentration of cadmium(II) using amino-functionalized magnetic-core silica-shell nanoparticles, and its determination by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

We report on the synthesis and evaluation of aminated-CoFe₂O₄/SiO₂ nanoparticles that can serve as a selective solid-phase sorbent for the extraction of cadmium ion. The nanoparticles consist of a magnetic CoFe₂O₄ core and an amino-modified silica shell. They can efficiently extract cadmium(II) ion and then can be isolated from the sample solution due to the magnetic nature of the core. The effects of the experimental conditions on the extraction process were optimized. Cadmium was then quantified by hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The resulting calibration curve is linear in the concentration range of 0.01–10 μg?L^?1, the instrumental detection limits (3σ) is 3.15 ng?L^?1 and the relative standard deviation is 4.9 % at the 1.0 μg?L^?1 level (for n?=?11). The enrichment factor is 50 (for 50 mL samples), and the adsorbent can be used for at least 45 cycles of preconcentration and elution. The method was applied to the determination of cadmium in environmental water samples, and successfully validated by analyzing two certified reference materials.

N-Methyl-4-hydrazino-7-nitrobenzofurazan: a fluorogenic substrate for peroxidase-like DNAzyme,and its potential application

Characterization and optimization studies of N-methyl-4-hydrazino-7-nitrobenzofurazan (MNBDH) as a new fluorogenic substrate in the peroxidation reaction catalyzed by DNAzyme are reported. The effects of pH, H₂O₂ concentration, metal-cation type, and the concentration and type of surfactant on the fluorescence intensity were investigated. The optimized reaction was subsequently used for the development of an assay for DNA detection based on a molecular-beacon probe. The use of a fluorogenic substrate enabled the detection of a single-stranded DNA target with a 1 nmol L^?1 detection limit. Graphical Abstract

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Extraction-photometric selective determination of trace perchlorates in potable waters

A method is proposed for the selective photometry determination of perchlorates in potable water with a detection limit of 2×10^?3 mg/L is proposed based on the extraction of its ion pair with the astrafloxin cation and absorbance measurements at 540 nm. The following ratios of matrix ions are acceptable (in parentheses): ClO^?, ClO ₂ ^? , ClO ₃ ^? , BrO ₃ ^? (500); I^? (1000); IO ₃ ^? (7000); HCO ₃ ^? , Cl^?,SO ₄ ^2? , NO ₃ ^? , Br^?, Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺ (10000). The relative error of determination for ClO ₄ ^? is 20% in the range 4 × 10^-3-1 × 10^?2 mg/L and 10% in the range 1 × 10^-2–5 × 10^?2 mg/L.     

Fluorescence-based immunoassay for human chorionic gonadotropin based on polyfluorene-coated silica nanoparticles and polyaniline-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles

We report on an ultrasensitive fluorescence immunoassay for human chorionic gonadotrophin antigen (hCG). It is based on the use of silica nanoparticles coated with a copolymer (prepared from a fluorene, a phenylenediamine, and divinylbenzene; PF@SiO₂) that acts as a fluorescent label for the secondary monoclonal antibody to β-hCG antigen. In parallel, Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were coated with polyaniline, and these magnetic particles (Fe₃O₄@PANI) served as a solid support for the primary monoclonal antibody to β-hCG antigen. The PF@SiO₂ exhibited strong fluorescence and good dispersibility in water. A fluorescence sandwich immunoassay was developed that enables hCG concentrations to be determined in the 0.01–100 ng·mL^?1 concentration range, with a detection limit of 3 pg·mL^?1.