An efficient upconversion luminescence energy transfer system for determination of trace amounts of nitrite based on NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ as donor

Glucose determination in human serum by applying inner filter effect quenching mechanism of upconversion nanoparticles

Accurate blood glucose determination is essential to the clinical diagnosis and management of diabetes. This work establishes an inner filter effect (IFE) strategy between upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and quinone-imine complex for glucose monitoring in human serum simply and efficiently. In this system, the enzyme glucose oxidase (GOx) catalyzes the reaction of glucose into hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and gluconic acid when compulsion by oxygen. In the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), the produced H₂O₂ can catalytically oxidize phenol and 4-amino antipyrine (4-AAP) to generate quinone-imine products. The purple-colored quinone-imine complex effectively absorbed the fluorescence of NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ UCNPs, leading to the strong fluorescence quenching of UCNPs through IFE. Thus, a new approach was established for glucose monitoring by determining the fluorescence intensity. Under the optimal condition, this approach shows better linearity to glucose from 2-240 μmol/L with a low detection limit at 1.0 μmol/L. Owing to the excellent fluorescence property and background-free interference of the UCNPs, the biosensor was applied for glucose measurements in human serum and got a satisfactory result. Furthermore, this sensitive and selective biosensor revealed great potential for the quantitative analysis of blood glucose or different kinds of H₂O₂-involved biomolecules for the application of clinical diagnosis.

Ultrafast synthesized monometallic nanohybrids as an efficient quencher and recognition antenna of upconversion nanoparticles for the detection of xanthine with enhanced sensitivity and selectivity

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have shown great promise in bioanalytical applications owing to their excellent optical properties. Generally, most analytical applications are based on the fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) principle to quench the fluorescence of UCNPs. However, each UCNP contains thousands of emission center ions, and most of them exceed the FRET critical distance, which hinders FRET efficiency and leads to a low signal-to-background ratio (SBR). Herein, a novel nanoprobe for the detection of Xanthine (XA) based on inner filter effects (IFE) and cascade signal amplification strategy was constructed by decorating UCNP with trypsin-chymotrypsin-stabilized gold nanoparticles-gold nanoclusters (Try-chy-AuNPs-AuNCs) monometallic nanohybrids. The Try-chy-AuNPs-AuNCs prepared by ultrafast (3 min) and green synthesis method have efficient upconversion fluorescence quenching ability (the quenching efficiency up to 90.9%), which can effectively improve the SBR of the probe, so as to improve the sensitivity. In addition, the Try-chy-AuNPs-AuNCs have a unique spatial structure, which can effectively prevent the interaction between large-size biothiol (glutathione) and the probe, thus improving its selectivity. Besides, combined with the excellent optical performance of UCNPs and cascaded signal amplification strategy, the sensitivity of the probe can be further improved. Under the optimized conditions, the linear response range of the probe was obtained from 0.05 to 50 μM, 0.06-80 μM and with the low detection limit of 22.6 nM and 26.3 nM for H₂O₂ and XA, respectively. Meanwhile, the developed method has been further applied to the detection of XA in human serum with satisfactory results.

Advances in fluorescence sensing enabled by lanthanide-doped upconversion nanophosphors

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), characterized by converting low-energy excitation to high-energy emission, have attracted considerable interest due to their inherent advantages of large anti-Stokes shifts, sharp and narrow multicolor emissions, negligible autofluorescence background interference, and excellent chemical- and photo-stability. These features make them promising luminophores for sensing applications. In this review, we give a comprehensive overview of lanthanide-doped upconversion nanophosphors including the fundamental principle for the construction of UCNPs with efficient upconversion luminescence (UCL), followed by state-of-the-art strategies for the synthesis and surface modification of UCNPs, and finally describing current advances in the sensing application of upconversion-based probes for the quantitative analysis of various analytes including pH, ions, molecules, bacteria, reactive species, temperature, and pressure. In addition, emerging sensing applications like photodetection, velocimetry, electromagnetic field, and voltage sensing are highlighted.

Cyanine dye-assembled composite upconversion nanoparticles for the sensing and cell imaging of nitrite based on a single particle imaging method

An upconversion luminescence total internal reflection single particle imaging method was developed for the sensing and cell imaging of nitrite.

Electronic coupling between molybdenum disulfide and gold nanoparticles to enhance the peroxidase activity for the colorimetric immunoassays of hydrogen peroxide and cancer cells

Peroxidase nanoenzymes exhibit a specific affinity toward substrates, thereby demonstrating application potential for realizing the colorimetric immunoassays of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which can be further used as a probe for imaging cancer cells. To enhance the intrinsic peroxidase activity of molybdenum sulfide (MoS₂) nanomaterials, gold (Au) nanoparticles with an average diameter of approximately 2.1 nm were modified on a MoS₂/carbon surface (denoted as MoS₂/C-Au₆₀₀) via ascorbic acid reduction. MoS₂/C-Au₆₀₀ can oxidize 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to generate a blue oxidation product in the presence of H₂O₂; this product exhibits peroxidase-like activities, superior to those of most existing MoS₂-based nanoenzymes. Furthermore, MoS₂/C-Au₆₀₀ exhibits a high detection capability for H₂O₂ in the range of 1 × 10^-5 to 2 × 10^-4 mol/L (R² = 0.99), and the lowest detection limit is 1.82 µmol/L in a sodium acetate and acetic acid buffer solution. Steady state kinetics studies indicate that the catalytic mechanism is consistent with the ping-pong mechanism. Given its strong absorption peak at 652 nm in the visible region, MoS₂/C-Au₆₀₀ can be used to image cancer cells due to the enhanced permeability and retention effect. Our findings demonstrate that the synergistic electronic coupling between multiple components can enhance the peroxidase activity, which can facilitate the development of an effective, facile, and reliable method to perform colorimetric immunoassays of H₂O₂ and cancer cells.

An l-cysteine-mediated iodide-catalyzed reaction for the detection of I−

In this study, a highly selective and eco-friendly fluorescent sensor consisting of upconversion (UCNPs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was developed for the detection of iodide (I⁻).

Fe3+-Enhanced NIR-to-NIR upconversion nanocrystals for tumor-targeted trimodal bioimaging

Fe³⁺-Enhanced NIR-to-NIR multifunctional upconversion luminescence nanocrystals were synthesized for excellent tumor-targeted UCL/MRI/X-ray trimodal bioimaging.

Oxidase-like mimic of Ag@Ag3PO4 microcubes as a smart probe for ultrasensitive and selective Hg(2+) detection

An oxidase-like mimic system based on facilely synthesized Ag@Ag3PO4 microcubes (Ag@Ag3PO4MCs) was designed and utilized to detect mercury ions with high selectivity and ultrasensitivity. Ag@Ag3PO4MCs with an average size of ca. 1.6 μm were synthesized by the reaction of [Ag(NH3)2](+) complex and Na2HPO4 and subsequent photoreduction under ultraviolet light. The as-prepared Ag@Ag3PO4MCs can effectively catalyze the oxidation of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) and o-phenylenediamine (OPD) in the presence of dissolved oxygen in slightly acidic solution, exhibiting oxidase-like activities rather than peroxidase-like activity. Interestingly, the introduction of Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the surfaces of Ag3PO4MCs can dramatically enhance the oxidase-like activities due to a synergistic effect between AgNPs and Ag3PO4MCs, as evidenced by the faster oxidation speed of TMB and OPD than that of native Ag3PO4MCs in the presence of dissolved oxygen. The enzyme kinetics can be well-explained by the Michaelis-Menten equation. As "poisoning" inhibitor, Hg(2+) ions can inhibit the enzyme reaction catalyzed by Ag3PO4MCs or Ag@Ag3PO4MCs. On the basis of this effect, a colorimetric Hg(2+) sensor was developed by the enzyme inhibition reaction of Ag3PO4MCs or Ag@Ag3PO4MCs. The excellent specific interaction of Hg-Ag or Hg(2+)-Ag(+) provides high selectivity for Hg(2+) over interfering metal ions. Meanwhile, the sensitivity of this sensor to Hg(2+) is extremely excellent with a limit of detection as low as 0.253 nM for Ag@Ag3PO4MCs. Considering the advantages of low detection limit, low cost, facile preparation, and visualization, the colorimetric Ag@Ag3PO4MCs sensor shows high promise for the testing of Hg(2+) in water samples.

Effective Synergistic Effect of Dipeptide-Polyoxometalate-Graphene Oxide Ternary Hybrid Materials on Peroxidase-like Mimics with Enhanced Performance

Dipeptide-polyoxometalates (POMs)-graphene oxide (GO) ternary hybrid is an excellent peroxidase-like mimic, exhibiting enhanced peroxidase-like activity compared to POMs alone. The hybrid was readily prepared through a reprecipitation method involving electrostatic encapsulation of H3PW12O40 (PW12) by cationic diphenylalanine (FF) peptide and coassembly of FF@PW12 spheres with graphene oxide (GO). Using 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) as the chromogenic substrate, the peroxidase-like activity of FF@PW12 was evaluated in the heterogeneous phase, and it is 13 times higher than that of pristine PW12 in the homogeneous phase. Furthermore, ternary hybrids of FF@PW12@GO containing 5 wt % GO could enhance the activity 1.7 times higher than that of FF@PW12. The noncovalent interactions of hydrogen bonding and ionic interaction between GO and POMs are speculated to result in the synergistic effect for the enhancement of peroxidase-like performance. The strong interactions between rGO and PW12 are evaluated by a four-probe Hall measurement via the van der Pauw method, and rGO is significantly p-doped by the doping effect of PW12 with lower LUMO energy than that of the energy level of rGO and also due to the electron reservoir feature of PW12. Cyclic voltammogram measurements also suggest that GO causes significant influence on the electronic structure of the reduced forms of the redox couples of PW12. The nature of the TMB catalytic reaction may originate from the generation of the hydroxyl radical ((•)OH) from the decomposition of H2O2 by ternary hybrids and the formation of peroxo species of POM. Taking advantage of the UV-vis signals of TMB being correlated to the concentration of H2O2, FF@PW12@GO can be used to detect H2O2 within the limit of detection of 0.11 μM, and the detection range is 1-75 μM. The present method indeed opens up a promising route in constructing heterogeneous peroxidase-like mimics through the use of POMs via the introduction of GO for building H2O2 sensors.

Synergistic effect of sandwich polyoxometalates and copper–imidazole complexes for enhancing the peroxidase-like activity

Two inorganic–organic hybrids based on copper(ii)–imidazole complex modified sandwich-type tungstobismuthate or tungstoantimonite, have been synthesized, demonstrating higher peroxidase-like activity using TMB as a peroxidase substrate.

Turn-on detection of a cancer marker based on near-infrared luminescence energy transfer from NaYF4:Yb,Tm/NaGdF4 core-shell upconverting nanoparticles to gold nanorods

A homogeneous immunoassay for the sensitive and selective determination of trace amounts of α-fetoprotein (AFP, a cancer marker) by detection in the near-infrared (NIR) region based on luminescence energy transfer (LET) from NaYF4:Yb,Tm/NaGdF4 core-shell upconverting nanoparticles to gold nanorods (GNRs) is presented. The carboxyl-functionalized NaYF4:Yb,Tm/NaGdF4 core-shell upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) were excited by a 980 nm continuous wavelength laser, and its emission peak appeared at a near-infrared wavelength (∼804 nm). The carboxyl-functionalized upconverting nanoparticles were conjugated with the anti-AFP (Ab1) and acted as donor. GNRs with a high absorption band around 790 nm, which was overlapped the UCNPs emission, were synthesized and acted as the acceptor. The donor (negatively charged) interacted with the acceptor (positively charged) via electrostatic interactions to bring them into close proximity. LET could occur, producing a quenching phenomenon. When the AFP antigens were added into the system, the binding affinity between AFP and Ab1 was stronger than the electrostatic interactions, which released the energy acceptors from the energy donors, interrupting luminescence energy transfer, and therefore, the luminescence was recovered. On the basis of the restored luminescence, a turn-on optical immunosening system was developed. Under the optimal conditions, the linear range of detection was from 0.18 to 11.44 ng/mL for AFP (R = 0.99), with a detection limit as low as 0.16 ng/mL. The proposed method has also been used to monitor AFP in human serum samples. Therefore, further study based on the NaYF4:Yb,Tm/NaGdF4 core-shell nanoparticles-GNRs construction may open the way for a new class of NIR-LET biosensors with wide applications.

Colorimetric Detection of Sulfite in Foods by a TMB-O2-Co3O4 Nanoparticles Detection System

In this paper, we first discovered that Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) possess intrinsic oxidase-like activity and can catalytically oxidize peroxidase substrates, such as 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) and 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB), to form colored products, in the absence of exogenously added H2O2. The presence of sulfite inhibited the TMB-O2-Co3O4 NPs reaction system and caused a change in color of the reaction system. On the basis of this phenomenon, a colormetric approach to detect sulfite was established with a good linear relationship ranging from 0.2×10(-6) to 1.6×10(-5) M and a detection limit of 5.3×10(-8) M. The method was used to detect sulfite in foods. Good recoveries ranging from 93.8% to 100.5% were obtained. Furthermore, the mechanism was studied and results showed that the oxidase-like activity of the Co3O4 NPs was not from •OH or O2•- radical generated. It may probably originate from their ability to transfer an electron between the peroxidase substrate and oxygen absorbed on the surface of the Co3O4 NPs.

Photon upconversion sensitized nanoprobes for sensing and imaging of pH

Acidic pH inside cells indicates cellular dysfunctions such as cancer. Therefore, the development of optical pH sensors for measuring and imaging intracellular pH is a demanding challenge. The available pH-sensitive probes are vulnerable to e.g. photobleaching or autofluorescence background in biological materials. Our approach circumvents these problems due to near infrared excitation and upconversion photoluminescence. We introduce a nanosensor based on upconversion resonance energy transfer (UC-RET) between an upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP) and a fluorogenic pH-dependent dye pHrodo™ Red that was covalently bound to the aminosilane surface of the nanoparticles. The sensitized fluorescence of the pHrodo™ Red dye increases strongly with decreasing pH. By referencing the pH-dependent emission of pHrodo™ Red with the pH-insensitive upconversion photoluminescence of the UCNP, we developed a pH-sensor which exhibits a dynamic range from pH 7.2 to 2.5. The applicability of the introduced pH nanosensor for pH imaging was demonstrated by imaging the two emission wavelengths of the nanoprobe in living HeLa cells with a confocal fluorescence microscope upon 980 nm excitation. This demonstrates that the presented pH-nanoprobe can be used as an intracellular pH-sensor due to the unique features of UCNPs: excitation with deeply penetrating near-infrared light, high photostability, lack of autofluorescence and biocompatibility due to an aminosilane coating.

Upconversion-nanophosphor-based functional nanocomposites

Upconversion nanophosphors have the ability to generate visible or near-infrared (NIR) emissions under continuous-wave NIR excitation. Utilizing this special photoluminescent properties, upconversion nanophosphors can be used as key components in complex nanocomposites for a wide range of applications. This review summarizes the basic concept, fabrication strategy, and typical application of upconversion-nanophosphor-based functional nanocomposites. The motivation to design these structures comes from the potential applications in detection, multi-modality bioimaging, and NIR light-induced therapy, as well as the tuning of the upconversion luminescence emissions. This review will give a brief summary of this rapidly developing field, and provide guidance to design and to fabricate new nanocomposites based on upconversion nanophosphors.

Aptamer-based sensing for thrombin in red region via fluorescence resonant energy transfer between NaYF₄:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles and gold nanorods

In this work, we design a FRET system for sensitive and selective determination of thrombin in red region, in which NaYF₄:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) act as donor and gold nanorods (Au NRs) act as acceptor. NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs with a strong emission at 661 nm were successfully synthesized by tuning the doped ions ratio. Carboxyl-functionalized NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs and Au NRs were then prepared and conjugated with the thrombin aptamers, respectively. The fluorescence emission band of NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs (λ(max)=661 nm) highly overlaps with the absorption band of Au NRs(λ(max)=666 nm), which benefits from the large tunability of the spectrum band of Au NRs. A FRET system was then formed when thrombin was added to the mixture of NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs and Au NRs, which were both modified thrombin aptamers. The fluorescence quenching efficiency of NaYF₄:Yb,Er UCNPs was increased in a thrombin concentration-dependent manner, which built the principle of thrombin quantification. The linear range was 2.5-90 nM in an aqueous buffer, and 3.75-112.5 nM in spiked human serum samples for thrombin. It also demonstrates a high selectivity to other biological species due to the specific binding. The measurement of thrombin in human plasma is satisfying, suggesting that the FRET system is of practical value in a complex biological sample matrix in red region.