Target-triggered double fluorescent biosensors for rapid and sensitive detection of long-chain perfluorinated compounds using DNA probe and lysozyme fiber

Novel pillar[n]arenes magnetic nanoparticles: Preparation and application in quantitative analysis of trace perfluorinated compounds from aqueous samples

BACKGROUND

Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) are a class of widely manufactured and used emerging persistent pollutants. The recent discovered new class of macrocycles pillararenes have garnered significant attention for the applications in environmental pollutant adsorption, with abundant π electron cavities, a symmetrical rigid structure, and host-guest recognition capabilities.

RESULTS

In this work, we designed and synthesized novel cationic pillar [n]arenes magnetic nanoparticles (CWPA5@MNPs), and investigated its adsorption performance and mechanism as a type of new adsorbent for the enrichment of PFCs. The results indicate that CWPA5@MNPs exhibits selectively strong affinity for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and long-chain (C9-C14) perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs), with the adsorption efficiency exceeding 80 % within 12 min. The maximum adsorption capacity of CWPA5@MNPs for PFOS was measured to be 29.02 mg/g. CWPA5@MNPs can be rapidly isolated from the solution using external magnets, offering a quick and easy separation. Consequently, this study established a CWPA5@MNPs-assisted magnetic solid-phase extraction (MSPE) coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (CWPA5@MNPs-MSPE-HPLC-MS/MS) method for the rapid detection of trace levels of PFCs in environmental water samples. The analysis of 7 PFCs yielded recovery rates ranging from 86.1 % to 107.5 %, with intraday and interday relative standard deviations (RSD) of 3.6-6.4 % and 1.3-7.0 %, respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE AND NOVELTY

The study reveals the synthesis and application of novel cationic pillar [n]arenes magnetic nanoparticles (CWPA5@MNPs) as highly efficient adsorbents for selective perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) in water samples. It demonstrates the potential of the newly developed CWPA5@MNPs-MSPE-HPLC-MS/MS method for the quantitative analysis of PFCs in environment, with high sensitivity, accuracy and stability.

Sensitive Detection of Perfluoroalkyl Substances Using MXene-AgNP-Based Electrochemical Sensors

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) pose a significant threat to the environment due to their persistence, ability to bioaccumulate, and harmful effects. Methods to quantify PFAS rapidly and effectively are essential to analyze and track contamination, but measuring PFAS down to the ultralow regulatory levels is extremely challenging. Here, we describe the development of a low-cost sensor that can measure a representative PFAS, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), at the parts per quadrillion (ppq) level within 5 min. The method combines the ability of PFOS to bind to silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) embedded within a fluorine-rich Ti3C2-based multilayered MXene, which provides a large surface area and accessible binding sites for direct impedimetric detection. Fundamentally, we show that MXene-AgNPs are capable of binding PFOS and other long-chain PFAS compounds, though the synergistic action of AgNPs and MXenes via electrostatic and F-F interactions. This binding induced concentration-dependent changes in the charge-transfer resistance, enabling rapid and direct quantification with extremely high sensitivity and no response to interferences. The sensor displayed a linear range from 50 ppq to 1.6 ppt (parts per trillion) with an impressively low limit of detection of 33 ppq and a limit of quantification of 99 ppq, making this sensor a promising candidate for low-cost screening of the PFAS content in water samples, using a simple and inexpensive procedure.

A Non-Bonding Interaction-Based Fluorescent Probe for Detection of Halogenated Carbonyl Compounds

The fluorescent detection of neutral and volatile carbonyl halogenated compounds had not been studied before. We describe here a simple and sensitive turn-on rhodamin fluorescent probe for the selective detection of fluorinated/brominated/chlorinated/iodinated carbonyl compounds. A wide range of linear or cyclic volatile organic halides was detected with a limit of detection as low as 45.6 nM within 1 min. Mechanistic experiments and DFT calculations indicate the reversible formation of a 1:1 complex of sensor and analyst through non-bonding interaction.