Target-triggered inhibiting oxidase-mimicking activity of platinum nanoparticles for ultrasensitive colorimetric detection of silver ion

The development of efficient methods for the detection of hazardous and toxic elements is extremely important for environmental security and public health. In this work, we developed a facile colorimetric assaying system for Ag⁺ detection in aqueous solution. Chitosan-stabilized platinum nanoparticles (Ch-PtNPs) were synthesized and severed as an artificial oxidase to catalyze the oxidation of the substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and generate color signal. In the presence of Ag⁺, due to the strong metallophilic interactions between Ag⁺ and Pt²⁺ on the surface of Ch-PtNPs, Ag⁺ can weaken the affinity to the substrates and inactivate the catalytic activity of Ch-PtNPs, leading to decreased absorbance signal to varying degrees depending on Ag⁺ amount. Combing the specific binding between Ch-PtNPs and Ag⁺ with signal amplification procedure based on the Ch-PtNPs-catalyzed TMB oxidation, a sensitive, selective, simple, cost-effective, and rapid detection method for Ag⁺ can be realized. Ag⁺ ions in tap and lake waters have been successfully detected. We ensured that the proposed method can be a potential alternative for Ag⁺ determination in environmental samples.     

Ag@Au core/shell triangular nanoplates with dual enzyme-like properties for the colorimetric sensing of glucose

Due to the serious harm of diabetes to human health, development of sensitive assays for glucose level is of high significance for early prevention and treatment of diabetes. Currently, most conventional enzyme-based glucose sensors suffer from high cost and low stability due to the inherent defects of natural enzymes. Herein, we develop a pure nanozyme-based glucose detection method using Ag@Au core/shell triangular nanoplates (TNPs), which combines glucose oxidase (GOD)- and horseradish peroxidase (HRP)-like activities of the Au shell and inherent plasmonic properties of Ag TNPs. The sensing mechanism is based on the fact that the Au shell possessed GOD-like activity, enabling the oxidation of glucose to produce H₂O₂, which can further etch the silver core, leading to the decrease of absorbance at 800 nm and the color change from blue to colorless. Compared with the previous nanozymes-based glucose sensors, our method avoids the use of enzymes and organic chromogenic agent. Moreover, the stability of the Ag@Au core/shell TNPs is much better than that of Ag TNPs due to the protection by the coating of the Au shell. This method was successfully applied to the detection of urine samples from patients with diabetes, indicating its practical applicability for real sample analysis.     

Determination of orthophosphates using a macro segmented flow analyzer (MSFA) based on colorimetric detection

Fabrication of a macro segmented flow analysis (MSFA) system based on reconfiguration of the manifold by adjustment of the sample/reagent ratio, has been found to produce a sensitive method for orthophosphate analysis based on colorimetric detection at 880 nm. Optimization of sample tube length, reaction temperature and molybdate concentration in the carrier solutions has been carried out. The larger sample tube internal diameter led to the combined advantages of better sensitivities, wider working range and higher sample throughput over most existing methods. Using the optimized conditions of 50.0 cm sample tube length (1.6 mm i.d.), 37.0 °C reaction temperature and 0.0113 M molybdate concentration in the carrier solution, the calibration model for orthophosphate standard solutions was found to be linear (y = 0.04895x + 0.003561; correlation coefficient, r²=0.9970) over the working range 0.01-2.00 mg l⁻¹ orthophosphate. The volume of the sample injected was 1.396 ml at a flow rate of 6.0 ml min⁻¹. The sample throughput of this MSFA method was 40 samples per an hour, with a detection limit of 4.0 μg l⁻¹, and %R.S.D.’s below 5%. The MSFA method was successfully applied to analysis of water and wastewater samples.     

Dual chemosensing properties of new anthraquinone-based receptors toward fluoride ions

Novel colorimetric receptors 1-[(2-hydroxy-5-bromo-benzylidene)-amino]-anthraquinone, 1-[(2-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzylidene)-amino]-anthraquinone, and 1-[(2-hydroxy-5-nitro-benzylidene)-amino]-anthraquinone have been synthesized as fluoride ion sensors. A color change was observed visually (naked-eye) upon addition of fluoride ions in organic solvents to solutions of the receptors.     

Redox-iodometry: a new potentiometric method

A new iodometric method for quantifying aqueous solutions of iodide-oxidizing and iodine-reducing substances, as well as plain iodine/iodide solutions, is presented. It is based on the redox potential of said solutions after reaction with iodide (or iodine) of known initial concentration. Calibration of the system and calculations of unknown concentrations was performed on the basis of developed algorithms and simple GWBASIC-programs. The method is distinguished by a short analysis time (2–3 min) and a simple instrumentation consisting of pH/mV meter, platinum and reference electrodes. In general the feasible concentration range encompasses 0.1 to 10^–6 mol/L, although it goes down to 10^–8 mol/L (0.001 mg Cl₂/L) for oxidants like active chlorine compounds. The calculated imprecision and inaccuracy of the method were found to be 0.4–0.9% and 0.3–0.8%, respectively, resulting in a total error of 0.5–1.2%. Based on the experiments, average imprecisions of 1.0–1.5% at c(Ox)>10^–5 M, 1.5–3% at 10^–5 to 10^–7 M, and 4–7% at <10^–7 M were found. Redox-iodometry is a simple, precise, and time-saving substitute for the more laborious and expensive iodometric titration method, which, like other well-established colorimetric procedures, is clearly outbalanced at low concentrations; this underlines the practical importance of redox-iodometry.

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An erratum to this article is available at .     

基于钴离子介导信号转换的抗坏血酸比色分析

抗坏血酸是许多生化过程所必需的一种生物小分子。借助于羟基氧化钴纳米片的氧化性和钴离子与硫氰酸根离子之间强的螯合作用,本文报道了一种基于钴离子介导信号转换的新方法用于抗坏血酸的比色分析。在抗坏血酸存在时,羟基氧化钴纳米片被还原降解产生二价钴离子,钴离子与硫氰酸根离子之间通过螯合作用生成蓝色的阴离子络合物[Co(NCS)₄]^2-,在625nm处产生可见吸收信号。在优化条件下,体系625nm处的吸收值与抗坏血酸浓度在0.03～0.45 mmol/L范围内呈良好的线性关系,线性方程为A₆₂₅=0.638c(mmol/L)+0.042,相关系数R=0.993,检测限(3S/N)为1.5μmol/L。     

基于磁珠分离的酶联适配体检测痕量蛋白质的新型比色分析方法

以核酸适配体作为高效专一的识别/传感元件, 构建了一种新型的磁性分离和特异性捕获的检测方法. 两个适配体通过简单的生物素化修饰, 利用其与凝血酶不同位点的高亲和力形成夹心结构, 其中连接适配体的磁珠可捕获蛋白质, 加入另一个适配体及链霉亲和素标记的辣根过氧化物酶后, 通过比色法实现靶蛋白检测. 该法操作简单, 分析时间短, 对凝血酶的线性响应范围为 10~80 nmol/L, 检出限为 10 nmol/L.     

A colorimetric squaraine-based probe and test paper for rapid naked eyes detection of copper ion (II)

A colorimetric probe N,N’-bis(2-methoxy-ethyl)-2,3,3-trimethyl-3H-squaraine (MOESQ) with H₂O solubility was synthesized to detect Cu²⁺. MOESQ exhibits good selectivity, high sensitivity and fast UV-Vis response toward Cu²⁺ over other competing ions in CH₃CN. The detection limit of MOESQ for Cu²⁺ in CH₃CN can reach 1.88?×?10^?7?molL^?1. By adsorbing MOESQ on the chromatography paper, a colorimetric test paper for Cu²⁺ was prepared, which could detect Cu²⁺ with the color change from blue to faint yellow even in the limit of detection concentration of 10^?6?molL^?1.     

Specific ionic effect for simple and rapid colorimetric sensing assays of amino acids using gold nanoparticles modified with task-specific ionic liquid

In this study, a novel task-specific ionic liquid functionalized gold nanoparticle (TSIL-GNP) was successfully prepared and applied in the recognition of amino acids. Particularly, the surface of GNP was modified with the ionic liquid containing carbamido and ester group via thiol, which was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The stability of this material in aqueous solution improves apparently and can remain unchanged for more than three months. The effect of pH was also discussed in this study. Attractive ionic interaction would effectively weaken intensity of the covalent coupling between the metal ion and the functional groups of amino acids. Thus, TSIL-GNP was successfully applied to recognizing serine, aspartic acid, lysine, arginine, and histidine in the presence of Cu²⁺ through distinctive color changes. Suspension would be generated once a spot of cysteine was added into the GNPs solution. Results indicated that it had a good linear relationship between extinction coefficients and concentration of amino acids in a wide range of 10⁻³–10⁻⁶ M. Moreover, the proposed strategy was successfully used to analyze the histidine in urinary samples. In brief, TSIL-GNP is a suitable substrate for discrimination of five amino acids in a rapid and simple way without sophisticated instruments.     

Perimedine-linked rhodamine dye in visual sensing of Al3+, Fe3+ and Fe2+ ions in aqueous organic medium under different experimental conditions

ABSTRACT

Perimedine labelled rhodamine dye 1 has been designed and synthesised. Metal ion binding studies of 1 have been performed in CH₃CN/H₂O (3:1, v/v, 10 mM Tris-HCl buffer, pH = 6.90). Compound 1 senses multiple metal ions such as Al³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺ by exhibiting turn on fluorescence and colour change (colourless to pink) under different experimental conditions. Concentration variation distinguishes Al³⁺ from Fe³⁺ ion. At low concentration (c = 1 x 10^?4 M), only Al³⁺ ion can exhibit turn on fluorescence with sharp colour change. Sensing of Fe²⁺ ion through turn on fluorescence and colour change has been possible via in situ oxidation by following Fenton’s reaction.