Determination of trace 2,4-dinitrophenol in surface water samples based on hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers/nickel fiber electrode

Molecularly imprinted polymer photoelectrochemical sensor for the detection of triazophos in water based on carbon quantum dot-modified titanium dioxide

Widely used organophosphorus pesticide triazophos (TAP) can easily cumulate in aquatic system due to its high stability chemically and photochemically and thus posing significant threat to aquatic creatures and humans' health. Urging demand for rapid determining TAP in water has risen. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing turns out to be a good candidate for its simplicity in fabrication and swiftness in detection. Nevertheless, traditional PEC sensors often lack selectivity as their signal generation primarily relies on the oxidation of organic compounds in the electrolyte by photo-induced holes. To address this limitation, molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can be in combined with PEC sensors to significantly enhance the selectivity. Here, we present a novel approach utilizing a PEC sensor enhanced by carbon-modified titanium dioxide molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP/C/TiO2 NTs). Carbon quantum dot (CQD) modification of titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (C/TiO2 NTs) was achieved through a one-step anodization process, effectively enhancing visible light absorption by narrowing the band gap of TiO2, and CQDs also function as sensitizer accelerating charge transfer for improved and stable photocurrent signals during detection. Our method further incorporates MIPs to heighten the selectivity of the PEC sensor. Electro-polymerization using cyclic voltammetry was employed to polymerize MIPs with pyrrole as the functional monomer and triazophos as the target molecule. The resultant MIP/C/TiO2 NT sensor exhibited remarkable sensitivity, with a detection limit of 0.03 nM (S/N = 3), alongside exceptional selectivity and stability for triazophos detection in water. This offers a promising avenue for efficient, cost-effective, and rapid monitoring of pesticide contaminants in aquatic environments, contributing to the broader goals of environmental preservation and public health.

Effect-Directed Analysis Based on the Reduced Human Transcriptome (RHT) to Identify Organic Contaminants in Source and Tap Waters along the Yangtze River

Since a large number of contaminants are detected in source waters (SWs) and tap waters (TWs), it is important to perform a comprehensive effect evaluation and key contributor identification. A reduced human transcriptome (RHT)-based effect-directed analysis, which consisted of a concentration-dependent RHT to reveal the comprehensive effects and noteworthy pathways and systematic identification of key contributors based on the interactions between compounds and pathway effects, was developed and applied to typical SWs and TWs along the Yangtze River. By RHT, 42% more differentially expressed genes and 33% more pathways were identified in the middle and lower reaches, indicating heavier pollution. Hormone and immune pathways were prioritized based on the detection frequency, sensitivity, and removal efficiency, among which the estrogen receptor pathway was the most noteworthy. Consistent with RHT, estrogenic effects were widespread along the Yangtze River based on in vitro evaluations. Furthermore, 38 of 100 targets, 39 pathway-related suspects, and 16 estrogenic nontargets were systematically identified. Among them, diethylstilbestrol was the dominant contributor, with the estradiol equivalent (EEQ) significantly correlated with EEQ_water. In addition, zearalenone and niclosamide explained up to 54% of the EEQ_water. The RHT-based EDA method could support the effect evaluation, contributor identification, and risk management of micropolluted waters.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymer-Based Sensors for Priority Pollutants

Globally, there is growing concern about the health risks of water and air pollution. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has developed a list of priority pollutants containing 129 different chemical compounds. All of these chemicals are of significant interest due to their serious health and safety issues. Permanent exposure to some concentrations of these chemicals can cause severe and irrecoverable health effects, which can be easily prevented by their early identification. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) offer great potential for selective adsorption of chemicals from water and air samples. These selective artificial bio(mimetic) receptors are promising candidates for modification of sensors, especially disposable sensors, due to their low-cost, long-term stability, ease of engineering, simplicity of production and their applicability for a wide range of targets. Herein, innovative strategies used to develop MIP-based sensors for EPA priority pollutants will be reviewed.

Lipidomics reveals multiple stressor effects (temperature × mitochondrial toxicant) in the zebrafish embryo toxicity test

Aquatic organisms are exposed to multiple stressors in the environment, including contaminants and rising temperatures due to climate change. The objective of this study was to characterize the effect of increased temperature on chemical-induced toxicity and lipid profiles during embryonic development and hatch in fish. This is important because temperature and many environmental chemicals modulate cellular metabolism and lipids, both of which play integral roles for normal embryonic development. As such, we employed the zebrafish embryo toxicity test for multiple stressor exposures, using the mitochondrial toxicant 2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP; 6-30 μM) in conjunction with different temperature treatments (28 °C and 33 °C). We found a positive relationship between temperature and lethality at lower DNP concentrations, suggesting temperature stress can increase toxicant sensitivity. Next, we used LC-MS/MS for lipidomics following exposure to sublethal stressor combinations. It was determined that temperature stress at 33 °C augmented DNP-induced effects on the lipidome, including the upregulation of bioactive lipids involved in apoptosis (e.g., ceramides). These data reveal potential implications for climate change and sensitivity to environmental pollution and demonstrate the utility of lipidomics to characterize metabolic pathways underlying toxicity. Data such as these are expected to advance adverse outcome pathways by establishing multiple stressor networks that include intermediate lipid responses.

Fabrication of Ag@Co-Al Layered Double Hydroxides Reinforced poly(o-phenylenediamine) Nanohybrid for Efficient Electrochemical Detection of 4-Nitrophenol, 2,4-Dinitrophenol and Uric acid at Nano Molar Level

In this paper, Co-Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs), Co-Al LDHs/poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) and Ag nanoparticles decorated Co-Al LDHs/PoPD (Ag@Co-Al LDH/PoPD) samples were prepared. The as-prepared samples were characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, FT-IR, DRS-UV-Vis, PL and TGA techniques. The salient features of morphology and size of the samples were determined using FESEM, and HR-TEM. Then, the samples were coated on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and employed for sensing of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP)) and uric acid (UA). It was found that Ag@Co-Al LDH/PoPD/GCE showed superior electrochemical sensing behaviour than other modified electrodes. It exhibits the detection limit (DL) of 63 nM, 50 nM and 0.28 µM for 4-NP, 2,4-DNP and UA respectively.

Fabrication of a 2,4-dinitrophenol sensor based on Fe3O4@Ag@Ni nanomaterials and studies on their antibacterial properties

Scheme representing (a) MO coated GCE, (b) theoretical I–V response, (c) observed I–V responses by the MO/Nafion/GCE, and (d) proposed detection mechanism of 2,4-DNP.

A biomimetic Setaria viridis-inspired imprinted nanoadsorbent: green synthesis and application to the highly selective and fast removal of sulfamethazine

The preparation of biomimetic Setaria viridis-inspired hydrophilic magnetic imprinted nanoadsorbent, via a two-step surface-initiated ATRP in a green alcohol/water solvent at RT, with MHNTs used as nano-cores, was first reported.

Studies on enhancing operational stability of a reusable laccase-based biosensor probe for detection of ortho-substituted phenolic derivatives

An amperometric principle-based biosensor containing immobilized enzyme laccase from Trametes versicolor was developed for detection of ortho-substituted phenolic derivatives. Different immobilization methods for Trametes versicolor laccase enzyme on cellophane membrane and the enhancement of operational stability of the immobilized enzyme electrode using various protein-based stabilizing agents were studied. Among tested methods of immobilization, co-cross-linking method with bovine serum albumin was superior to the other methods in terms of sensitivity, limit of detection, response time, and operating and thermal stability. Biosensor response reached steady state within 3 min and exhibited maximum activity at 45 °C and pH 6.8. The sensitivity of the ortho-substituted phenols for the test biosensor developed with co-cross-linking method of immobilization using bovine serum albumin as the protein-based stabilizing agent was in the order: 2-aminophenol > guaiacol(2-methoxyphenol) > catechol(2-hydroxyphenol) > cresol(2-methyl phenol) > 2-chlorophenol. Validation of the newly developed biosensor by comparison with HPLC showed good agreement in the results. A newly developed biosensor was applied for quantification of ortho-substituted phenols in simulated effluent samples.

Synthesis of water-compatible surface-imprinted polymer via click chemistry and RAFT precipitation polymerization for highly selective and sensitive electrochemical assay of fenitrothion

A novel water-compatible fenitrothion imprinted polymer was prepared on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) by click chemistry and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) precipitation polymerization (RAFTPP). The RAFT chain-transfer agent was synthesized on the surface of AuNPs using click chemistry, then an imprinted polymer with hydrophilic polymer brushes was prepared on the RAFT chain-transfer agent modified AuNPs by RAFTPP, mediated by hydrophilic polyethylene glycol macromolecular cochain-transfer agent. The obtained molecularly imprinted material showed improved accessibility to fenitrothion and recognition property in water medium. When the material was immobilized on an ionic liquid functionalized graphene coated glassy carbon electrode for the electrochemical determination of fenitrothion, the resulting electrochemical sensor presented linear response in the range of 0.01-5 μM, with a sensitivity of 6.1 μA/μM mm(2). The low limit of detection was 8 nM (S/N=3). The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of real samples and the recovery for standard added was 95-108%.

Molecular imprinting science and technology: a survey of the literature for the years 2004-2011

Herein, we present a survey of the literature covering the development of molecular imprinting science and technology over the years 2004-2011. In total, 3779 references to the original papers, reviews, edited volumes and monographs from this period are included, along with recently identified uncited materials from prior to 2004, which were omitted in the first instalment of this series covering the years 1930-2003. In the presentation of the assembled references, a section presenting reviews and monographs covering the area is followed by sections describing fundamental aspects of molecular imprinting including the development of novel polymer formats. Thereafter, literature describing efforts to apply these polymeric materials to a range of application areas is presented. Current trends and areas of rapid development are discussed.

Bio-mimetic sensors based on molecularly imprinted membranes

An important challenge for scientific research is the production of artificial systems able to mimic the recognition mechanisms occurring at the molecular level in living systems. A valid contribution in this direction resulted from the development of molecular imprinting. By means of this technology, selective molecular recognition sites are introduced in a polymer, thus conferring it bio-mimetic properties. The potential applications of these systems include affinity separations, medical diagnostics, drug delivery, catalysis, etc. Recently, bio-sensing systems using molecularly imprinted membranes, a special form of imprinted polymers, have received the attention of scientists in various fields. In these systems imprinted membranes are used as bio-mimetic recognition elements which are integrated with a transducer component. The direct and rapid determination of an interaction between the recognition element and the target analyte (template) was an encouraging factor for the development of such systems as alternatives to traditional bio-assay methods. Due to their high stability, sensitivity and specificity, bio-mimetic sensors-based membranes are used for environmental, food, and clinical uses. This review deals with the development of molecularly imprinted polymers and their different preparation methods. Referring to the last decades, the application of these membranes as bio-mimetic sensor devices will be also reported.

Highly effective removal of 2,4-dinitrophenolic from surface water and wastewater samples using hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers

Novel hydrophilic molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with high adsorption capacity were used as the sorbents to remove 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) from surface water and wastewater samples. Kinetic studies, dynamic adsorption and selectivity experiments of hydrophilic MIPs were investigated in this study. The results indicated that the maximum adsorption capacity of 2,4-DNP on hydrophilic MIPs was 138.9 mg g(-1) and kinetic experimental data were described by the pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the effects of flow rate, initial concentration, pH value, and humic acid on the removal efficiency of 2,4-DNP were optimized. Compared with the active carbon, carbon nanotube, C18 sorbents and common MIPs, the removal efficiency of hydrophilic MIPs (100 mg) was very high with all above 92 % even though the sampling volume was more than 1 L. Investigated results of five times adsorption-desorption cycles indicated hydrophilic MIPs were high stability. In a word, the obtained results demonstrated that hydrophilic MIPs could be used as the effective sorbents for 2,4-DNP removal in practical application.