Covalent immobilization of molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles on a gold surface using carbodiimide coupling for chemical sensing

Conductive imprinted polymeric interfacially modified electrochemical sensors based on covalently bonded layer-by-layer assembly of Gr/Au with flower-like morphology for sensitive detection of 2,4,6-TCP

Polymeric membrane sensors based on molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) have been attractive analytical tools for detecting organic species. However, the MIPs in electrochemical sensors developed so far are usually prepared by in situ polymerization of pre-polymers and non-covalent adsorption on the surface of the working electrode. Meanwhile, the MIPs in the electrochemical sensors developed are typically made of a non-conductive polymer film. This results in a relatively low current due to the lack of electron transfer. Additionally, the smoothness of the traditional electrochemical substrate results in a low specific surface area, which reduces the sensitivity of the electrochemical sensor. Here, we describe a novel electrochemical sensor with a conductive interface and MIPs modification. The electrochemical sensor was modified by covalent coupled layer by layer self-assembly with the imprinted polymer film. The incorporation of these two conductive functional materials improves the conductivity of the electrodes and provides interface support materials to obtain high specific surface area. By using 2,4,6-trichlorophenol as the model, the sensitivity of the developed conductive sensor was greatly improved compared to that of the traditional MIPs sensor. We believe that the proposed MIPs-based sensing strategy provides a general and convenient method for making sensitive and selective electrochemical sensors.

Vapor-Phase Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers on Nanostructured Materials at Room-Temperature

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) have recently emerged as robust and versatile artificial receptors. MIP synthesis is carried out in liquid phase and optimized on planar surfaces. Application of MIPs to nanostructured materials is challenging due to diffusion-limited transport of monomers within the nanomaterial recesses, especially when the aspect ratio is >10. Here, the room temperature vapor-phase synthesis of MIPs in nanostructured materials is reported. The vapor phase synthesis leverages a >1000-fold increase in the diffusion coefficient of monomers in vapor phase, compared to liquid phase, to relax diffusion-limited transport and enable the controlled synthesis of MIPs also in nanostructures with high aspect ratio. As proof-of-concept application, pyrrole is used as the functional monomer thanks to its large exploitation in MIP preparation; nanostructured porous silicon oxide (PSiO2 ) is chosen to assess the vapor-phase deposition of PPy-based MIP in nanostructures with aspect ratio >100; human hemoglobin (HHb) is selected as the target molecule for the preparation of a MIP-based PSiO2 optical sensor. High sensitivity and selectivity, low detection limit, high stability and reusability are achieved in label-free optical detection of HHb, also in human plasma and artificial serum. The proposed vapor-phase synthesis of MIPs is immediately transferable to other nanomaterials, transducers, and proteins.

Static and Dynamic Biomaterial Engineering for Cell Modulation

In the biological microenvironment, cells are surrounded by an extracellular matrix (ECM), with which they dynamically interact during various biological processes. Specifically, the physical and chemical properties of the ECM work cooperatively to influence the behavior and fate of cells directly and indirectly, which invokes various physiological responses in the body. Hence, efficient strategies to modulate cellular responses for a specific purpose have become important for various scientific fields such as biology, pharmacy, and medicine. Among many approaches, the utilization of biomaterials has been studied the most because they can be meticulously engineered to mimic cellular modulatory behavior. For such careful engineering, studies on physical modulation (e.g., ECM topography, stiffness, and wettability) and chemical manipulation (e.g., composition and soluble and surface biosignals) have been actively conducted. At present, the scope of research is being shifted from static (considering only the initial environment and the effects of each element) to biomimetic dynamic (including the concepts of time and gradient) modulation in both physical and chemical manipulations. This review provides an overall perspective on how the static and dynamic biomaterials are actively engineered to modulate targeted cellular responses while highlighting the importance and advance from static modulation to biomimetic dynamic modulation for biomedical applications.

Electrochemical sensing of macromolecules based on molecularly imprinted polymers: challenges, successful strategies, and opportunities

Looking at the literature focused on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for protein, it soon becomes apparent that a remarkable increase in scientific interest and exploration of new applications has been recorded in the last several years, from 42 documents in 2011 to 128 just 10 years later, in 2021 (Scopus, December 2021). Such a rapid threefold increase in the number of works in this field is evidence that the imprinting of macromolecules no longer represents a distant dream of optimistic imprinters, as it was perceived until only a few years ago, but is rapidly becoming an ever more promising and reliable technology, due to the significant achievements in the field. The present critical review aims to summarize some of them, evidencing the aspects that have contributed to the success of the most widely used strategies in the field. At the same time, limitations and drawbacks of less frequently used approaches are critically discussed. Particular focus is given to the use of a MIP for protein in the assembly of electrochemical sensors. Sensor design indeed represents one of the most active application fields of imprinting technology, with electrochemical MIP sensors providing the broadest spectrum of protein analytes among the different sensor configurations.

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Biological sample-compatible Au nanoparticle-containing fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymer microspheres by combining RAFT polymerization and Au-thiol chemistry

The development of biological sample-compatible fluorescent molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) with more functions and/or improved performance is of great importance for various bioanalytical and biomedical applications, but remains challenging. Herein,...

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in Diagnostics: Accessing Analytes in Biofluids

Bio-applied molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are biomimetic materials with tailor-made synthetic recognition sites, mimicking biological counterparts known for their sensitive and selective analyte detection. MIPs, specifically designed for biomarker analysis...

Covalent immobilization of bromocresol purple on cellulose nanocrystals for use in pH-responsive indicator films

This study developed pH-indicator films by combining esterified cellulose nanocrystals (e-CNCs) with activated bromocresol purple (a-BCP) via covalent bonding for pH-sensitive color-changing applications. The e-CNC/a-BCP particles were incorporated into cellulose acetate polymer to prepare pH-sensitive color changing films. Binding of a-BCP to e-CNCs was proven by attenuated total reflection infrared (ATR-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Colorimetric analysis showed that films containing 10% or 15% e-CNC/a-BCP particles had critical color changes either at pH 4-5, or pH 7-8. The films with 10% e-CNC/a-BCP particles also revealed excellent leaching resistance under acidic conditions. Color changes were reversible between pH 2 and 10. These pH-indicator films had visible color changes in response to pH variations, color reversibility, leaching resistance, and sufficient rigidity even though mechanical properties decreased as the e-CNC/a-BCP content increased from 0% to 15%.

Two-Dimensional-Material-Based Field-Effect Transistor Biosensor for Detecting COVID-19 Virus (SARS-CoV-2)

The emergence of rapidly expanding infectious diseases such as coronavirus (COVID-19) demands effective biosensors that can promptly detect and recognize the pathogens. Field-effect transistors based on semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) materials (2D-FETs) have been identified as potential candidates for rapid and label-free sensing applications. This is because any perturbation of such atomically thin 2D channels can significantly impact their electronic transport properties. Here, we report the use of FET based on semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenide (TMDC) WSe2 as a promising biosensor for the rapid and sensitive detection of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. The sensor is created by functionalizing the WSe2 monolayers with a monoclonal antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and exhibits a detection limit of down to 25 fg/μL in 0.01X phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Comprehensive theoretical and experimental studies, including density functional theory, atomic force microscopy, Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies, and electronic transport properties, were performed to characterize and explain the device performance. The results demonstrate that TMDC-based 2D-FETs can potentially serve as sensitive and selective biosensors for the rapid detection of infectious diseases.

Molecularly Imprinted Polymers for Chemical Sensing: A Tutorial Review

The field of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP)-based chemosensors has been experiencing constant growth for several decades. Since the beginning, their continuous development has been driven by the need for simple devices with optimum selectivity for the detection of various compounds in fields such as medical diagnosis, environmental and industrial monitoring, food and toxicological analysis, and, more recently, the detection of traces of explosives or their precursors. This review presents an overview of the main research efforts made so far for the development of MIP-based chemosensors, critically discusses the pros and cons, and gives perspectives for further developments in this field.

A Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) sensor integrated automated microfluidic system for multiplex inflammatory biomarker detection

Inflammation is a complex biological response of the human body to external or internal stimuli, such as invading pathogens, defective cells, or irritating substances. One important indicator of inflammatory conditions or the progress of various diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, connective tissue diseases, sepsis, or Alzheimer's disease, is the concentration level of inflammatory biomarkers, including immunoglobulins, cytokines, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Since inflammatory biomarkers are highly correlated with each other, it is important to measure them simultaneously. To enable continuous and dynamic inflammatory biomarker detection, we utilized localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) to perform label-free molecule sensing. Since the LSPR sensing mechanism requires only a small sensing area with simplified optical setup, it can be easily integrated with a microfluidic device. To simplify reagent operation complexity, we developed an automated microfluidic control system to control reagent guiding and switching in the immunoassay with less manual processes and potential operation errors. Our results successfully demonstrated multiplex IgG, TNF-α, and CRP measurement with only 60 μL assay volume and 3.5 h assay time. In each test, 20 sensing spot measurements under four different reagent conditions can be performed. Overall, we envision that the LSPR sensor integrated automated microfluidic control system could perform rapid, multiplex, and multiparallel continuous inflammatory biomarker detection, which would be beneficial for various applications, such as immune status monitoring, diagnosis and prognosis of inflammatory diseases.

Immobilization of green-synthesized silver nanoparticles for micro- and nano-spectroscopic applications: What is the role of used short amino- and thio-linkers and immobilization procedure on the SERS spectra?

Immobilization of nanoparticles (NPs) is a technique suitable for the preparation of large-scale substrates for surface-enhanced vibrational spectroscopy including micro- and nano-spectroscopic applications. The developed immobilization method provides the enhancing properties of the roughened substrate surface to be maintained for techniques like surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, however, at the same time the morphology is not limiting for related near-field (scanning probe) techniques. The study is focused on the comparison of different immobilization procedures of Ag nanoparticles and finding the relationship between preparation procedures leading to convenient surface morphology and the quality of the observed signal of the model analyte (riboflavin) using SERS. Amino-linker (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and four thio-linkers (cysteine, 3-mercaptopropanoic acid, 2-mercaptoethanol, and 2,2'-oxydiethanthiol) using five immobilization procedures at three different temperatures (23 °C, 40 °C, and 70 °C) were compared. Surface morphology was monitored by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The SERS spectra of riboflavin were evaluated in terms of the intensity and the resolution of individual bands. The spectral dataset was inspected by multivariate statistical methods - principal component analysis and discriminant analysis. The evaluation of spectra and statistical models show the influence of the used linker and AgNPs immobilization procedure on the spectral output. APTMS linker is less suitable; much more appropriate are thio-linkers deposited on an evaporated Au layer on a glass slide. The best spectral parameters were obtained for 2,2'-oxydiethanthiol and 23 °C.

Chemical sensing with Au and Ag nanoparticles

Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are ideal scaffolds for the fabrication of sensing devices because of their high surface-to-volume ratio combined with their unique optical and electrical properties which are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment. Such characteristics guarantee high sensitivity in sensing processes. Metal NPs can be decorated with ad hoc molecular building blocks which can act as receptors of specific analytes. By pursuing this strategy, and by taking full advantage of the specificity of supramolecular recognition events, highly selective sensing devices can be fabricated. Besides, noble metal NPs can also be a pivotal element for the fabrication of chemical nose/tongue sensors to target complex mixtures of analytes. This review highlights the most enlightening strategies developed during the last decade, towards the fabrication of chemical sensors with either optical or electrical readout combining high sensitivity and selectivity, along with fast response and full reversibility, with special attention to approaches that enable efficient environmental and health monitoring.

An overview on molecular imprinted polymers combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy chemical sensors toward analytical applications

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful and high-speed detection technology. It provides information on molecular fingerprint recognition with ultrahigh sensitive detection. However, it shows poor anti-interference capacity against complex matrices. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) can achieve specific recognition of targets from complex matrices. Through introducing the MIP separation system, the MIP-SERS chemical sensor can effectively overcome the limitation of complex matrix interference, and further improve the stability of sensors for detection. Herein, the materials and structures of integrated MIP-SERS sensors are systematically reviewed, and its application as a sensor for chemical detection of hazardous substances in environmental and food samples has been addressed as well. To broaden the prospects of application, we have discussed the current challenges and future perspectives that would accelerate the development of versatile MIP-SERS chemical sensors.

Generic sensor platform based on electro-responsive molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (e-NanoMIPs)

The present research describes the design of robust electrochemical sensors based on electro-responsive molecularly imprinted polymer nanoparticles (e-MIPs). The e-MIPs, tagged with a redox probe, combine both recognition and reporting functions. This system replaces enzyme-mediator pairs used in traditional biosensors. The analyte recognition process relies on the generic actuation phenomenon when the polymer conformation of e-MIPs is changing in response to the presence of the template analyte. The analyte concentration is measured using voltammetric methods. In an exemplification of this technology, electrochemical sensors were developed for the determination of concentrations of trypsin, glucose, paracetamol, C4-homoserine lactone, and THC. The present technology allows for the possibility of producing generic, inexpensive, and robust disposable sensors for clinical, environmental, and forensic applications.

Matrix-Metalloproteinase-Responsive Gene Delivery Surface for Enhanced in Situ Endothelialization

Although blood-contacting medical devices have been widely used in the biomedical field, their low endothelialization seriously limits their treatment success. Gene transfection can enhance the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells (ECs) in culture, yet using this technology to realize surface endothelialization still faces great challenges. Herein, we developed a matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) responsive gene delivery surface for in situ smart release of genes from the biomaterial surface upon EC attachment and adhesion. The released genes induced by ECs can, in turn, effectively transfect ECs and enhance the surface endothelialization. An MMP-responsive gene delivery surface (Au-MCP@NPs) was constructed by immobilizing gene complex nanoparticles (NPs) onto a Au surface with MMP-cleavable peptide (MCP) grafted via biotin-avidin interaction. The Au-MCP@NP surface was demonstrated to responsively release NPs under the action of MMPs. More importantly, ECs were effectively transfected on this surface, leading to enhanced proliferation/migration in vitro. The in situ surface endothelialization was evaluated via implanting Au-MCP@NPs into rat aortas. The in vivo results demonstrated that this smart Au-MCP@NP surface could lead to the localized upregulation of ZNF580 protein and accelerate in situ endothelialization. This smart MMP-responsive gene delivery surface provided a promising and powerful strategy for enhanced in situ endothelialization of blood-contacting medical devices.

Nicotine Monitoring with a Wearable Sweat Band

The tobacco epidemic is a public health threat that has taken a heavy toll of lives around the globe each year. Smoking affects both the smokers and those who are exposed to secondhand smoke, and careful tracking of exposure can be key to mitigating the potential hazards. For smokers, the variation of chemical compositions between commercial cigarettes has led to ambiguity in estimating the health risks, both for active smokers and others involuntarily exposed to tobacco smoke and byproducts. In this regard, sweat possesses an attractive opportunity to monitor smoke exposure due to sweat's abundance in biomolecules and its great accessibility. Here, we present a wearable sweat band to monitor nicotine, a prominent ingredient in cigarettes, as a viable way to quantitatively assess a wearer's exposure to smoking. Both smokers and normal subjects are tested to demonstrate the use of this device for smoke-related health monitoring. Our results exhibit confirmable and elevated nicotine levels in sweat for subjects inhaling cigarette smoke. This continuous and personalized sweat sensing device is leverage to monitor smoke pollution for a potentially broad population.

Polydopamine-based molecularly imprinted thin films for electro-chemical sensing of nitro-explosives in aqueous solutions

A sensitive electrochemical sensor was developed for the detection of nitro-explosives in aqueous solutions based on thin molecularly imprinted polydopamine films. Dopamine was identified in silico, based on DFT (density functional theory) calculations with the ωB97X-D/6-31G* basis set, as the best functional monomer and electropolymerized via cyclic voltammetry (CV) in the presence of carboxylic acid-based structural analogues ('dummy' templates) for two model nitro-explosives: TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and RDX (Research Department eXplosive, 1,3,5-trinitroperhydro-1,3,5-triazine). This approach afforded a homogenous coverage of gold electrodes with imprinted films of tunable thickness. The electropolymerized molecularly imprinted polydopamine films allowed for a 10⁵-fold sensitivity improvement over a bare gold electrode based on tracking the redox peaks of the targets by CV. This improved sensitivity is ascribed to the ability of the MIP to concentrate its target in proximity to the transduction element. The MIP films showed reproducible binding in phosphate buffer (10 mM, pH 7.4), with a dynamic range from 0.1 nM to 10 nM for both TNT and RDX and an increased selectivity over closely related structural analogues.

Non-Catalytic Benefits of Ni(II) Binding to an Si(111)-PNP Construct for Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution Reaction: Metal Ion Induced Flat Band Potential Modulation

We report here the remarkable and non-catalytic beneficial effects of a Ni(II) ion binding to a Si|PNP type surface as a result of significant thermodynamic band bending induced by ligand attachment and Ni(II) binding. We unambiguously deconvolute the thermodynamic flat band potentials (V_FB) from the kinetic onset potentials (V_on) by synthesizing a specialized bis-PNP macrochelate that enables one-step Ni(II) binding to a p-Si(111) substrate. XPS analysis and rigorous control experiments confirm covalent attachment of the designed ligand and its resulting Ni(II) complex. Illuminated J-V measurements under catalytic conditions show that the Si|BisPNP-Ni substrate exhibits the most positive onset potential for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) (-0.55 V vs Fc/Fc⁺) compared to other substrates herein. Thermodynamic flat band potential measurements in the dark reveal that Si|BisPNP-Ni also exhibits the most positive V_FB value (-0.02 V vs Fc/Fc⁺) by a wide margin. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data generated under illuminated, catalytic conditions demonstrate a surprising lack of correlation evident between V_on and equivalent circuit element parameters commonly associated with HER. Overall, the resulting paradigm comprises a system wherein the extent of band bending induced by metal ion binding is the primary driver of photoelectrochemical (PEC)-HER benefits, while the kinetic (catalytic) effects of the PNP-Ni(II) are minimal. This suggests that dipole and band-edge engineering must be a primary design consideration (not secondary to catalyst) in semiconductor|catalyst hybrids for PEC-HER.

Biofunctionalized nanomaterials for in situ clean-up of hydrocarbon contamination: A quantum jump in global bioremediation research

Interfacing organic or inorganic nanoparticles with biological entities or molecules or systems with the aim of developing functionalized nano-scale materials or composites for remediation of persistent organic hydrocarbon pollutants (such as monocyclic and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, MAH/PAH) has generated great interest and continues to grow almost unabated. However, the usefulness and potency of these materials or conjugates hinges over several key barriers, including structural assembly with fine-tuned control over nanoparticle/biomolecule ratio, spatial orientation and activity of biomolecules, the nano/bio-interface strategy and hierarchical architecture, water-dispersibility and long term colloidal stability in environmental media, and non-specific toxicity. The present review thus critically analyses, discusses and interprets recently reported attempts and approaches to functionalize nanoparticles with biomolecules. Since there is no comprehensive and critical reviews on the applications of nanotechnology in bioremediation of MAHs/PAHs, this overview essentially captures the current global scenario and vision on the use and future prospects of biofunctionalized nanomaterials with respect to their strategic interactions involved at the nano/bio-interface essential to understand and decipher the structural and functional relationships and their impact on persistent hydrocarbon remediation.

Gold, Silver and Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Bionanoconjugation Strategies Aimed at Electrochemical Applications

Nanomaterials have revolutionized the sensing and biosensing fields, with the development of more sensitive and selective devices for multiple applications. Gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles have played a particularly major role in this development. In this review, we provide a general overview of the synthesis and characteristics of gold, silver and iron oxide nanoparticles, along with the main strategies for their surface functionalization with ligands and biomolecules. Finally, different architectures suitable for electrochemical applications are reviewed, as well as their main fabrication procedures. We conclude with some considerations from the authors' perspective regarding the promising use of these materials and the challenges to be faced in the near future.

Selectivity of Copper by Amine-Based Ion Recognition Polymer Adsorbent with Different Aliphatic Amines

This paper investigates the selectivity of GMA-based-non-woven fabrics adsorbent towards copper ion (Cu) functionalized with several aliphatic amines. The aliphatic amines used in this study were ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), triethylenetetramine (TETA), and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The non-woven polyethylene/polypropylene fabrics (NWF) were grafted with glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) via pre-radiation grafting technique, followed by chemical functionalization with the aliphatic amine. To prepare the ion recognition polymer (IRP), the functionalized amine GMA-grafted-NWF sample was subjected to radiation crosslinking process along with the crosslinking agent, divinylbenzene (DVB), in the presence of Cu ion as a template in the matrix of the adsorbent. Functionalization with different aliphatic amine was carried out at different amine concentrations, grafting yield, reaction temperature, and reaction time to study the effect of different aliphatic amine onto amine density yield. At a concentration of 50% of amine and 50% of isopropanol, EDA, DETA, TETA, and TEPA had attained amine density around 5.12, 4.06, 3.04, and 2.56 mmol/g-ad, respectively. The amine density yield decreases further as the aliphatic amine chain grows longer. The experimental condition for amine functionalization process was fixed at 70% amine, 30% isopropanol, 60 °C for grafting temperature, and 2 h of grafting time for attaining 100% of grafting yield (Dg). The prepared adsorbents were characterized comprehensively in terms of structural and morphology with multiple analytical tools. An adsorptive removal and selectivity of Cu ion by the prepared adsorbent was investigated in a binary metal ion system. The IRP samples with a functional precursor of EDA, the smallest aliphatic amine had given the higher adsorption capacity and selectivity towards Cu ion. The selectivity of IRP samples reduces as the aliphatic amine chain grows longer, EDA to TEPA. However, IRP samples still exhibited remarkably higher selectivity in comparison to the amine immobilized GMA-g-NWF at similar adsorption experimental conditions. This observation indicates that IRP samples possess higher selectivity after incorporation of the ion recognition imprint technique via the radiation crosslinking process.

Controlling the stereospecific bonding motif of Au-thiolate links

Over the last decades, organosulfur compounds at the interface of noble metals have proved to be extremely versatile systems for both fundamental and applied research. However, the anchoring of thiols to gold remained an object of controversy for a long time. The RS-Au-SR linkage, in particular, is a robust bonding configuration that displays interesting properties. It is generated spontaneously at room temperature and can be used for the production of extended molecular nanostructures. In this work we explore the behavior of 1,4-bis(4-mercaptophenyl)benzene (BMB) on the Au(111) surface, which results in the formation of 2D crystalline metal-organic assemblies stabilized by this type of Au-thiolate bonds. We show how to control the thiolate's stereospecific bonding motif and thereby choose whether to form ordered arrays of Au₃BMB₃ units with embedded triangular nanopores or linearly stacked metal-organic chains. The former turn out to be thermodynamically favored structures and display confinement of the underneath Au(111) surface state. The electronic properties of single molecules as well as of the 2D crystalline self-assemblies have been characterized both on the metal-organic backbone and inside the associated pores.

Electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer for sensitive triclosan detection in wastewater and mineral water

Triclosan (TCS) is a topical antiseptic widely used in different cosmetic products. It is also a common additive in many antimicrobial household consumables. Over a certain concentration, it becomes risky for human and environmental health. This work describes the development of an electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), assembled on screen-printed gold electrode (Au-SPE), dedicated to the TCS detection in environmental water sources. To achieve this goal, an acrylamide/bisacrylamide solution was polymerized after linking TCS with the carboxylic polyvinyl chloride (PVC-COOH) layer onto the Au-SPE. The sensor device fabrication and its retention capabilities were characterized through cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. As control experiment, negligible responses were obtained during the non-imprinted polymer (NIP) test. The sensor could effectively detect TCS avoiding interferences of structural similar substances like 2,4,6-trichlorophenol and catechol. Under optimal conditions, the sensor responses were found logarithmic in the concentration range from 0.1 to 1000 pg mL^-1. Indeed, compared with reported works, this sensor exhibits lower detection limit (LOD) and quantification limit (LOQ) of 0.23 and 0.78 pg mL^-1, respectively. The developed sensor was effectively applied to wastewater samples for TCS detection and displayed satisfactory performances. Moreover, the different wastewater samples, regarding their TCS contents, were correctly classified by using principal component analysis (PCA) technique. Correspondingly, this work has demonstrated a cheap, simple and effective sensing platform for TCS detection thus making it a promising tool for future evolution of accurate and reliable environmental analysis.

Fabrication of Miniature Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Chips by Using Confined Sessile Drop Technique

In this study, we demonstrate a simple and efficient method to fabricate miniature surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor chips by using confined sessile drop technique. A liquid optical adhesive (NOA 61) was dropped on the circular flat surface of cylindrical substrates made of poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS). The formation of hemispherical optical prisms was accomplished by taking advantage of the sharp edges of cylindrical PDMS substrates that prevented the overflow of liquid NOA 61 at the edge of substrates. The size of the hemispherical optical prisms can be controlled by changing the diameter of the cylindrical PDMS substrates. After UV curing, the SPR sensor chips were obtained by the deposition of 3 nm thick chromium and 47 nm thick gold on the flat side of the prisms. The fabricated miniature SPR sensor chips were then mounted on a three-dimensional-printed flow cell to complete the microfluidic SPR sensor module. The miniature SPR sensor chips provided a comparable sensitivity to the conventional high-refractive-index glass SPR chips. To demonstrate the detection capability of nanometer-sized materials, we applied the miniature microfluidic SPR system for monitoring the deposition of layer-by-layer ultrathin films of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride)/poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) and for detecting human immunoglobulin G.

Gold nanoparticle surface engineering strategies and their applications in biomedicine and diagnostics

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found a wide range of biomedical and environmental monitoring applications (viz. drug delivery, diagnostics, biosensing, bio-imaging, theranostics, and hazardous chemical sensing) due to their excellent optoelectronic and enhanced physico-chemical properties. The modulation of these properties is done by functionalizing them with the synthesized AuNPs with polymers, surfactants, ligands, drugs, proteins, peptides, or oligonucleotides for attaining the target specificity, selectivity and sensitivity for their various applications in diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics. This review intends to highlight the contribution of such AuNPs in state-of-the-art ventures of diverse biomedical applications. Therefore, a brief discussion on the synthesis of AuNPs has been summarized prior to comprehensive detailing of their surface modification strategies and the applications. Here in, we have discussed various ways of AuNPs functionalization including thiol, phosphene, amine, polymer and silica mediated passivation strategies. Thereafter, the implications of these passivated AuNPs in sensing, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), bioimaging, drug delivery, and theranostics have been extensively discussed with the a number of illustrations.

Gold nanoparticle surface engineering strategies and their applications in biomedicine and diagnostics

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have found a wide range of biomedical and environmental monitoring applications (viz. drug delivery, diagnostics, biosensing, bio-imaging, theranostics, and hazardous chemical sensing) due to their excellent optoelectronic and enhanced physico-chemical properties. The modulation of these properties is done by functionalizing them with the synthesized AuNPs with polymers, surfactants, ligands, drugs, proteins, peptides, or oligonucleotides for attaining the target specificity, selectivity and sensitivity for their various applications in diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics. This review intends to highlight the contribution of such AuNPs in state-of-the-art ventures of diverse biomedical applications. Therefore, a brief discussion on the synthesis of AuNPs has been summarized prior to comprehensive detailing of their surface modification strategies and the applications. Here in, we have discussed various ways of AuNPs functionalization including thiol, phosphene, amine, polymer and silica mediated passivation strategies. Thereafter, the implications of these passivated AuNPs in sensing, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS), bioimaging, drug delivery, and theranostics have been extensively discussed with the a number of illustrations.

Combination of a graphene SERS substrate and magnetic solid phase micro-extraction used for the rapid detection of trace illegal additives

Surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an ultra-sensitive spectroscopy technique, which can provide rich structural information for a great number of molecules, while solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) is an efficient method for sample pretreatment in analytical chemistry, particularly in a micro-system.

Review of SERS Substrates for Chemical Sensing

The SERS effect was initially discovered in the 1970s. Early research focused on understanding the phenomenon and increasing enhancement to achieve single molecule detection. From the mid-1980s to early 1990s, research started to move away from obtaining a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon to the exploration of analytical applications. At the same time, significant developments occurred in the field of photonics that led to the advent of inexpensive, robust, compact, field-deployable Raman systems. The 1990s also saw rapid development in nanoscience. This convergence of technologies (photonics and nanoscience) has led to accelerated development of SERS substrates to detect a wide range of chemical and biological analytes. It would be a monumental task to discuss all the different kinds of SERS substrates that have been explored. Likewise, it would be impossible to discuss the use of SERS for both chemical and biological detection. Instead, a review of the most common metallic (Ag, Cu, and Au) SERS substrates for chemical detection only is discussed, as well as SERS substrates that are commercially available. Other issues with SERS for chemical detection have been selectivity, reversibility, and reusability of the substrates. How these issues have been addressed is also discussed in this review.

Van der Waals molecular interactions in the organic functionalization of graphane, silicane, and germanane with alkene and alkyne molecules: a DFT-D2 study

Density functional theory with the addition of a semi-empirical dispersion potential was applied to the conventional Kohn-Sham energy to study the adsorption of alkene and alkyne molecules on hydrogen-terminated two-dimensional group IV systems (graphane, silicane, and germanane) by means of a radical-initiated reaction. In particular, we investigated the interactions of acetylene, ethylene, and styrene with those surfaces. Although we had studied these systems previously, we included van der Waals interactions in all of the cases examined in the present work. These forces, which are noncovalent interactions, can heavily influence different processes in molecular chemistry, such as the adsorption of organic molecules on semiconductor surfaces. This unified approach allowed us to perform a comparative study of the relative reactivities of the various organic molecule/surface systems. The results showed that the degree of covalency of the surface, the lattice size, and the partial charge distribution (caused by differences in electronegativity) are all key elements that determine the reactivity between the molecules and the surfaces tested in this work. The covalent nature of graphane gives rise to energetically favorable intermediate states, while the opposite polarities of the charge distributions of silicane and germanane with the organic molecules favor subsequent steps of the radical-initiated reaction. Finally, the lattice size is a factor that has important consequences due to steric effects present in the systems and the possibility of chain reaction continuation. The results obtained in this work show that careful selection of the substrate is very important. Calculated energy barriers, heats of adsorption, and optimized atomic structures show that the silicane system offers the best reactivity in organic functionalization.

Synthesis of core–shell imprinting polymers with uniform thin imprinting layer via iniferter-induced radical polymerization for the selective recognition of thymopentin in aqueous solution

Core–shell imprinting microspheres for the selective and rapid recognition of thymopentin with the aid of a novel polymeric ionic liquid.

Preparation and selective adsorption of organic pollutants by an inorganic molecular imprinted polymer

A novel inorganic molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) was synthesized by adding Al(3+) to the Fe/SiO2 gel with Acid Orange II (AO II) as the template. The MIP was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption-desorption measurement. Compared with the non-imprinted polymer (NIP), the MIP enhanced the adsorption capacity of the target pollutants AO II. The selective adsorption capacity study indicated that the MIP adsorbed more AO II than the interferent Bisphenol A (BPA), which also has the structure of a benzene ring, thus proving the selective adsorption capacity of the MIP for template molecules AO II. In addition, the adsorption of AO II over MIP belonged to the Langmuir type and pseudo-second adsorption kinetics, and Dubinin-Radushkevich model indicates that the adsorption process of AO II over MIP and NIP are both given priority to chemical adsorption. The MIP reusability in performance was demonstrated in at least six repeated cycles.