Silver Nanoparticle-Functionalised Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots for the Highly Efficient Determination of Uric Acid

The fabrication of efficient fluorescent probes that possess an excellent sensitivity and selectivity for uric acid is highly desirable and challenging. In this study, composites of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) wrapped with nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) were synthesised utilising N-CQDs as the reducing and stabilising agents in a single reaction with AgNO₃. The morphology and structure, absorption properties, functional groups, and fluorescence properties were characterised by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy. In addition, we developed a novel method based on AgNPs/N-CQDs for the detection of uric acid using the enzymatic reaction of uric acid oxidase. The fluorescence enhancement of the AgNPs/N-CQDs composite was linear (R² = 0.9971) in the range of 2.0–60 μmol/L, and gave a detection limit of 0.53 μmol/L. Trace uric acid was successfully determined in real serum samples from the serum of 10 healthy candidates and 10 gout patients, and the results were consistent with those recorded by Qianxinan Prefecture People’s Hospital. These results indicate that the developed AgNP/N-CQD system can provide a universal platform for detecting the multispecies ratio fluorescence of H₂O₂ generation in other biological systems.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Copper-Doped Zinc Selenide Quantum Dots as Fluorescence Probes for Sparfloxacin

Copper-doped zinc selenide quantum dots modified with mercaptopropionic acid were prepared. The fluorescence quenching of the quantum dots was directly proportional to sparfloxacin concentration. A novel method was established to determine sparfloxacin using the copper-doped zinc selenide quantum dots as fluorescent probes. The interaction between the quantum dots and sparfloxacin was investigated by fluorescence and absorption spectroscopies. A linear relationship was obtained between the quenched fluorescence and sparfloxacin concentration from 1 × 10^?6 to 1.8 × 10^?5 moles per liter in KH₂PO₄-Na₂HPO₄ buffer at pH 7.5 using copper-doped zinc selenide quantum dots at 2.9 × 10^?6 moles per liter. The limit of detection for sparfloxacin was 2.4 × 10^?9 moles per liter. The method was used for the determination of sparfloxacin in tablets and water with satisfactory results.     

Novel Method for Selective Spectrophotometric Determination of Titanium(IV) with Water Extract of Slippery Elm Leaf as a New Reagent

Abstract

A novel spectrophotometric method for the determination of titanium(IV) by using a new reagent, water extract of slippery elm leaf is developed. In 0.05 M hydrochloric acid, titanium(IV) reacts with this reagent to form a yellow product. The formed product shows maximum absorbance at 415 nm with a molar absorptivity value of 0.68×10⁴ l mol^–1 cm^–1 and the method was linear in the 0.2–6 µg ml^?1 concentration range. The detection limit value was found to be 0.0131 µg ml^?1. The proposed method was simple, low cost, selective, and sensitive. It was applied to the analytic samples with satisfactory results.     

Synthesis and characteristics of hyperbranched polymer with phosphonic acid groups for high-temperature fuel cells

Two different molecular weight hyperbranched polymers (HBP(L)-(PA)₂ and HBP(H)-(PA)₂) with two phosphonic acid groups as a functional group at the periphery and a low molecular weight hyperbranched polymer (HBP(L)-(PA)₂-Ac) with both two phosphonic acid groups and an acryloyl group as a cross-linker at the periphery were successfully synthesized as thermally stable proton-conducting electrolytes. A cross-linked electrolyte membrane (CL-HBP(L)-(PA)₂) was prepared by thermal polymerization of the HBP(L)-(PA)₂-Ac using benzoyl peroxide. Ionic conductivities of the HBP(L)-(PA)₂, the HBP(H)-(PA)₂, and the CL-HBP(L)-(PA)₂ under dry condition and their thermal properties were investigated, and also, the effect of the phosphonic acid group number on them was discussed. Ionic conductivities of the HBP(L)-(PA)₂ and the HBP(H)-(PA)₂ were found to be 1.5?×?10^?5 S cm^?1 at 150 °C and 3.6?×?10^?6 S cm^?1 at 143 °C, respectively, under dry condition, and showed the Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher type temperature dependence. The hyperbranched polymers and the cross-linked electrolyte membrane were thermally stable up to 300 °C, and the cross-linked electrolyte membrane (CL-HBP-(PA)₂) had suitable thermal stability as an electrolyte membrane for the high-temperature fuel cells under dry condition. Fuel cell measurement using a single membrane electrode assembly cell with the cross-linked membrane was performed.     

Electrochemical determination of picric acid based on platinum nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite

Platinum nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite-modified glassy carbon electrode (PtNPs–rGO/GCE) was developed as a simple, selective and sensitive electrochemical sensor for determination of picric acid (PA). Cyclic voltammogram (CV) of PA showed three well-defined irreversible reduction peaks at the potentials of ?0.43, ?0.57 and ?0.66 V versus Ag/AgCl. In this work, the interference effect of other nitrophenol compounds (NPhCs) was significantly reduced by appropriate adjusting of pH. Square wave voltammetry was used for quantification of PA in the range of 5–500 µM (1.15–115 mg L^?1) with practical detection limit of 1 µM (0.23 mg L^?1). The proposed sensor was successfully applied for the determination of PA in two natural water samples.     

Functionalized manganese-doped zinc sulfide core/shell quantum dots as selective fluorescent chemodosimeters for silver ion

Zinc sulfide quantum dots doped with Mn(II) ions and coated with a shell of zinc sulfide were prepared, and their surface was modified with iminodiacetic acid to form a QDs-conjugate (QDs-IDA). Such modification effectively improves the water-solubility and luminescence quantum yield of the quantum dots. The optical properties and structural features were characterized by photometry, ¹H NMR and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results displayed that QDs-IDA selectively respond to Ag (I) ion in phosphate buffer solution (pH 7.3) in quenching the fluorescence of QDs-IDA. A good linear relationship exists in the concentration range from 5.0?×?10^?7 mol·L^?1 to 4.5?×?10^?6 mol·L^?1 and the detection limit is 2.6?×?10^?7 mol·L^?1. The sensing mechanism was assumed to result from complex formation between the iminodiacetic acid of QDs-IDA and silver (I) ion which promoted photo-induced electron transfer.     

Ovalbumin-stabilized gold nanoclusters with ascorbic acid as reducing agent for detection of serum copper

Ovalbumin-stabilized gold nanoclusters(OVA@AuNCs) were prepared with ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. This strategy could realize the synthesis of water-soluble OVA@AuNCs within 20 min. The asprepared fluorescent probe showed a red fluorescence emission at 630 nm. Moreover, the properties of the OVA@AuNCs were characterized by transmission electron microscope, dynamic light scattering,ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, fluorescent spectroscopy. Based on the surface electron density decrease-induced fluorescence quenching mechanism, the OVA@AuNCs provided high sensitivity and selectivity for sensing copper ions. A good linear relationship was obtained between the fluorescence intensity of OVA@AuNCs and the concentration of copper ions in the range of 5.0-100.0 μmol/L(R~2=0.999) with a detection limit of 640 nmol/L Furthermore, the rat serum copper contents were determined by using the OVA@AuNCs based assay, indicating great potential of fluorescent probes for application in biological and clinical analysis.     

Chlorodesmethyldiazepam Fluorimetric Determination in Pharmaceutical Formulations and in Aqueous Media

Abstract

A direct fluorimetric method for the determination of chlorodesmethyldiazepam was proposed. The fluorescence process was pH dependent. The dynamic range for the method was 1.6–12 µg ml^–1. A linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of chlorodesmethyldiazepam solution was obtained with r ² of 0.9958. The detection limit for the method was found to be 0.224 µg ml^–1. The method has successfully applied to the determination of chlorodesmethyldiazepam in pure, authentic, and aqueous samples.     

Fluorimetric Determination of Gatifloxacin in Aqueous,Pure and Pharmaceutical Formulations

Abstract

A spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the determination of gatifloxacin. The emission peak for gatifloxacin was recorded at 495 nm upon excitation at 291 nm. The fluorescence process was pH dependent. The dynamic range for the method was 16–80 ng ml^?1with detection limit of 3.97 ng ml^?1. A linear relationship between the fluorescence intensity and the concentration of gatifloxacin solution was obtained with r ² of 0.9968. The method has successfully applied to the determination of gatifloxacin in pure, authentic and aqueous samples.     

Vapor-pressure osmometric study of the molecular weight and aggregation tendency of a reference-soil fulvic acid

The molecular weight and aggregation tendency of a reference-soil fulvic acid in Armadale horizon Bh were determined by vapor-pressure osmometry using tetrahydrofuran and water as solvents. With tetrahydrofuran, number-average molecular weight values of 767 ± 34 and 699 ± 8 daltons were obtained from two separate sets of measurements. Two sets of measurements with water also yielded values within this range (754 ± 70 daltons) provided that the fulvic acid concentration in water did not exceed 7 mg ml^?1; at higher concentrations (9.1–13.7 mg ml^?1) a number-average molecular weight of 956 ± 25 daltons was resolved, providing evidence of molecular aggregation. Extension of these studies to 80% neutralized fulvic acid showed that a sizeable fraction of the sodium counter ion is not osmotically active.     

Direct electrochemical behavior of cytochrome c, and its determination on phytic acid modified electrode

Phytic acid (PA) with its unique structure was attached to a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) to form PA/GCE modified electrode which was characterized by electrochemical impedance. The electrochemical behavior of cytochrome c (Cyt c) on the PA/GCE modified electrode was explored by cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry. The Cyt c displayed a quasi-reversible redox process on PA modified electrode pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution with a formal potential (E ^0′) of 57 mV (versus Ag/AgCl). The peak currents were linearly related to the square root of the scan rate in the range of 20–120 mV·s^?1. The electron transfer rate constant was determined to be 12.5 s^?1. The PA/GCE modified electrode was applied to the determination of Cyt c, in the range of 5?×?10^?6 to 3?×?10^?4 M, the currents increase linearly to the Cyt c concentration with a correlation coefficient 0.9981. The detection limit was 1?×?10^?6 M (signal/noise?=?3).     

Deep Eutectic Solvent-assisted Synthesis of Nitrogen-doped Carbon Quantum Dots for Cell Imaging

Carbon quantum dots(CQDs) are widely used in fluorescence imaging due to their negligible toxicity, low-cost and excellent fluorescence properties. The fluorescence properties of CQDs are greatly affected by the synthesis method, passivation agent and reaction media. In this study, the nitrogen-doped CQDs(N-CQDs) were synthesized by a facile microwave-assisted method with citric acid(CA) as a carbon source and deep eutectic solvents as a N-dopant as well as the reaction solvent. After detailed characterizations, the as-prepared N-CQDs exhibited near spherical morphology with an average size of (2.64±0.55) nm. Besides, the abundant hydrophilic functional groups including hydroxyl, carboxyl, amine and quaternary ammonium were present on the surface of the N-CQDs. The N-CQDs displayed the excitation-dependent fluorescence feature under the excitation wavelength of 350-480 nm. Moreover, the N-CQDs could be efficiently uptaken by RAW264.7 cells and emitted bright green light. Meanwhile, the resultant N-CQDs showed the low cytotoxicity in living cells, suggesting the great potential in bio-imaging applications.     

Comparison of Ion-Pairing and Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography in Determination of Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim

Abstract

Two simple, rapid, and sensitive HPLC methods have been developed for the simultaneous determination of sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim in their pure and dosage forms, one utilizing reversed phase HPLC and the other ion-pair HPLC. In the reversed phase HPLC method (A) the mobile phase consists of 0.05% aqueous solution of formic acid with pH adjusted to 4.5±0.2 with triethylamine : acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran 50 : 49 : 1 (v/v), and the mobile phase pumped at flow rate of 1.0 ml min^?1. An Appolo LC18 column (5.0 µm), 250 mm length × 4.6 mm diameter, was utilized as the stationary phase. Detection was affected spectrophotometrically at 254 nm. In the ion-pair HPLC method (B) the mobile phase consisted of methanol : buffer 35 : 65 (v/v) with the buffer composed of potassium dihydrogen phosphate 0.3 M and sodium heptan sulfonic acid 5.0 mM. To 500 ml of buffer was added 2.0 ml triethylamine, and then the pH was adjusted to 5.0 with phosphoric acid, and the mobile phase was pumped at a flow rate of 1.2 ml min^?1. A Hypersil C₁₈ column (5.0 µm), 150 mm length × 4.6 mm diameter, was utilized as the stationary phase. Detection was affected spectrophotometrically at 254 nm. Linearity ranges for sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim were 1.0–110 and 1.5–98 µg ml^?1, respectively, with method A and 0.5–100 and 1.0–125 µg ml^?1, respectively, with method (B). Minimum detection limits obtained were 0.1969 and 0.3451 µg ml^?1 for sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim, respectively, with method A, and 0.1377 and 0.2454 µg ml^?1 with method (B). The proposed methods were further applied to the analysis of tablets containing the two drugs, and the results were satisfied.     

Flow-injection spectrophotometric determination of ascorbic acid by reduction of vanadotungstophosphoric acid

Ascorbic acid may be determined spectrophotometrically at 360 nm based on reduction of vanadotungstophosphoric acid using flow-injection analysis. The carrier stream was distilled water and the reagent streams were buffer solution (pH 3.0), 1.735 × 10^?3 M dodecatungstophosphoric acid and 1.735 × 10^?3 M sodium vanadate. The injection rate was 80 h^?1. The calibration graph was linear up to 80 μg ml^?1 ascorbic acid and the relative standard deviation for the determination of 20 μg ml^?1 ascorbic acid was 1.5% (n=10). The detection limit was 1.0 μg ml^?1 ascorbic acid, based on an injection volume of 250 μl. The system was applied to the determination of ascorbic acid in vitamin C tablets.     

Turn-on fluorescence sensor for mono- and di-phosphonic acid derivatives using anthracene-based diamidine and its detection of amidinium-phosphonate and amidinium formation

The fluorescence detection of di-phosphonic acid and mono-phosphonic acid derivatives using the anthracene-based diamidine 1 has been investigated. The diamidine 1 forms 1:1 and 1:2 complexes with the di-phosphonic acid and mono-phosphonic acid derivatives, respectively, and showed a blue fluorescence (λ_em = 432–442 nm) in a DMSO solution. The formation of amidinium-phosphonate (complex formation) and dissociated amidinum (λ_em = 468 nm as a broad band) were distinguished by the difference in the fluorescence wavelength, and confirmed by DOSY NMR spectroscopy and TD-DFT calculations. The formation of a 1:2 complex with diamidine 1 and methylphosphonic acid having additional intermolecular hydrogen-bonding between the methylphosphonic acids is proposed.     

The green synthesis of carbon quantum dots and applications for sulcotrione detection and anti-pathogen activities

In this study, we synthesized simple, cheap, and stable nitrogen (N)-doped carbon quantum dots (N-CQDs) from Moringa oleifera roots. The N-CQDs exhibited an intense blue fluorescence and a quantum yield (QY) of up to 43.4%. When excited at 350 nm, the highest generated wavelength was observed at 445 nm. These N-CQDs were then successfully used to detect sulcotrione (limit of detection = 2 μg/mL); the method was reliable and exhibited good feasibility for measurements in real samples. When the N-CQDs concentration was 11.0 μL/mL, inhibitory rates against the pathogens, Corynespora cassiicola and Phytophtora nicotianae were 82.8% and 75.3%, respectively. To investigate N-CQDs safety for plant growth, different concentrations were investigated using sorghum seedlings, with N-CQDs exhibiting very low toxicity toward plant growth. Thus, these findings provide a basis for the development of N-CQDs as green pesticides.     

Sensitive and Selective Determination of 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol Using a Molecularly Imprinted Polymer Based on Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots

Novel core-shell molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared based on zinc oxide quantum dots for the determination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by fluorescence. Principally, ZnO quantum dots and 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were chosen as the core substrate and the template molecule, respectively. The specific recognition sites for 2,4,6-trichlorophenol were obtained during the polymerization process in presence of 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and tetraethylorthosilicate. Molecularly imprinted ZnO quantum dots were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the optical properties were evaluated by spectrofluorometry. Under the optimal conditions, molecularly imprinted ZnO quantum dots were successfully applied to the sensitive determination and selective recognition of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in water. A linear relationship was obtained to cover the concentration range of 0–160?µmol?L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9931 calculated by the Stern–Volmer equation. The products were used for the determination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in the water from local rural areas and the results strongly supported that the molecularly imprinted ZnO quantum dots were suitable for the determination of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol in real examples.     

CdS/ZnS core-shell quantum dots capped with mercaptoacetic acid as fluorescent probes for Hg(II) ions

We have synthesised water soluble CdS/ZnS core-shell quantum dots (QDs) capped with mercaptoacetic acid (MAA). They were characterised by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, FT-IR and transmission electron microscopy. Such QDs can be used as fluorescent probes for the determination of metal ions because they quench the fluorescence of the QDs. The QDs exhibit absorption and emission bands at 345?nm and 475?nm respectively, which is more longer wavelength compared to MAA-capped CdS QDs and obviously is the result of the larger particle size. The fluorescence intensity of CdS-based QDs is strongly enhanced by coating them with a shell of ZnS. In addition, such functionalised QDs are more sensitive to Hg(II) ions. Parameters such as pH, temperature and concentration of the QDs have been optimised. A high selectivity and sensitivity toward Hg(II) ions is obtained at pH 7.4 and a concentration of 12.0?mg of QDs per L. Under optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity of CdS/ZnS QDs is linearly proportional to the concentration of Hg(II) in the range from 2.5 to 280?nM, with a detection limit of 2.2?nM. The effect of potentially interfering cations was examined and confirmed the high selectivity of this material.

A New Generic Enzyme Immunoassay for Sulfonamides

Abstract

The study was directed to the development of generic immunoenzyme assay for sulfonamides. N‐sulfanil‐4‐aminobutyric acid which mimics the common part of sulfonamides was used as immunogenic hapten. The obtained rabbit polyclonal antibodies allowed detection of the N‐sulfanil‐4‐aminobutyric acid in indirect competitive immunoenzyme assay down to 0.03 ng ml^?1. The lowest detection limit for the sulfonamides tested, 0.1 ng ml^?1, was observed for sulfamethoxypyridazine. Eleven other sulfonamides could be determined at concentrations ranging from 1–37 ng ml^?1. Thus, the proposed technique can be used in class‐specific sulfonamides detection in products of animal origin.     

Fluorescence Spectroscopy Study of Polyoxyethylene Surfactant Micellar Systems

The systems investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy were water/ethoxylated mono, di-glyceride/oil + ethanol. The oils were R (+)-limonene and isopropylmyristate. The mixing ratio (w/w) of ethanol/oil equals unity. The fluorescent probes auramine-O and 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid were used to determine the minimum ω′ value for the transition of reverse micelles to microemulsions in the systems based on the two oils, as well as at different surfactant contents. The fluorescence quenching of Safranine-T (3,6-diamino-2,7-dimethyl-5 phenyl phenazinium chloride) by the inorganic ions Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Cu²⁺ was studied in reverse micelles and microemulsions. The Stern–Volmer quenching constants at different water/surfactant molar ratios (ω values) were calculated from the data of the quenching process. Atomic force microscopy was used to image the systems based on the two oils for different water to surfactant molar ratios below and above the minimum ω′ value.