Perovskite nanocrystals fluorescence nanosensor for ultrasensitive detection of trace melamine in dairy products by the manipulation of inner filter effect of gold nanoparticles

Sensing Utilities of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskites and Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Recently, the utilization of metal halide perovskites in sensing and their application in environmental studies have reached a new height. Among the different metal halide perovskites, cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbX3; X = Cl, Br, and I) and composites have attracted great interest in sensing applications owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Most CsPbX3 nanostructures and composites possess great structural stability, luminescence, and electrical properties for developing distinct optical and photonic devices. When exposed to light, heat, and water, CsPbX3 and composites can display stable sensing utilities. Many CsPbX3 and composites have been reported as probes in the detection of diverse analytes, such as metal ions, anions, important chemical species, humidity, temperature, radiation photodetection, and so forth. So far, the sensing studies of metal halide perovskites covering all metallic and organic-inorganic perovskites have already been reviewed in many studies. Nevertheless, a detailed review of the sensing utilities of CsPbX3 and composites could be helpful for researchers who are looking for innovative designs using these nanomaterials. Herein, we deliver a thorough review of the sensing utilities of CsPbX3 and composites, in the quantitation of metal ions, anions, chemicals, explosives, bioanalytes, pesticides, fungicides, cellular imaging, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic gases, humidity, temperature, radiation, and photodetection. Furthermore, this review also covers the synthetic pathways, design requirements, advantages, limitations, and future directions for this material.

A new difunctional liquid crystal nanosurface molecularly imprinted polyitaconic acid nanoprobe for SERS/RRS determination of ultratrace melamine

In this paper, a new dimode scattering spectral method for rapid detection of ultratrace melamine (ML) in dairy products was established by coupling nanosurface molecular imprinting technology with nanocatalytic amplification reaction of liquid crystal particles. It was found that liquid crystal cholesteryl butyrate (CBU) nanosurface imprinted polymers (CBU@MIP) not only recognized ML but also catalyzed the nano indicator reaction of HAuCl4-sodium formate to produce gold nanoparticles with surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effect. When ML was added, it specifically combined with CBU@MIP to form CBU@MIP-ML conjugates with strong catalytic activity, and SERS and RRS signals increased linearly with the detection limits of 0.0072 pmol/L and 0.093 pmol/L respectively. The method was applied to the determination of ML in dairy products and plastic tablewares with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 2.2-4.4 % and 1.6-4.7 %, and recovery of 95.4 %-108.3 % and 95.9-108.6  % respectively.

Perovskite Nanocrystals: Superior Luminogens for Food Quality Detection Analysis

With the global limited food resources receiving grievous damage from frequent climate changes and ascending global food demand resulting from increasing population growth, perovskite nanocrystals with distinctive photoelectric properties have emerged as attractive and prospective luminogens for the exploitation of rapid, easy operation, low cost, highly accurate, excellently sensitive, and good selective biosensors to detect foodborne hazards in food practices. Perovskite nanocrystals have demonstrated supreme advantages in luminescent biosensing for food products due to their high photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield, narrow full width at half-maximum PL, tunable PL in the entire visible spectrum, easy preparation, and various modification strategies compared with conventional semiconductors. Herein, we have carried out a comprehensive discussion concerning perovskite nanocrystals as luminogens in the application of high-performance biosensing of foodborne hazards for food products, including a brief introduction of perovskite nanocrystals, perovskite nanocrystal-based biosensors, and their application in different categories of food products. Finally, the challenges and opportunities faced by perovskite nanocrystals as superior luminogens were proposed to promote their practicality in the future food supply.

Molecularly imprinted fluorescence assay based on lead halide perovskite quantum dots for determination of benzo(a)pyrene

Molecularly imprinted polymers with methylammonium lead halide perovskite quantum dots (MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs) have been prepared and applied to the determination of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) for the first time. The photoluminescence (PL) of MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs was enhanced due to the surface passivation of defects by BaP. PL excitation and emission spectra, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, and time-resolved PL studies suggest that the interaction between MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs and BaP is a dynamic process. After MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs were incubated with BaP, the benzene ring in the molecular structure of BaP can interact with MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs through π electrons, which reduces non-radiative recombination of MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs and lengthens excited state lifetime. The PL intensity of the MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs-BaP system was monitored at 520 nm with 375 nm excitation. Under optimized conditions, the PL intensity of MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs is linear with the concentration of BaP in the 10 to 100 ng·mL-1 range, with a detection limit of 1.6 ng·mL-1. The imprinting factor was 3.9, indicating excellent specificity of MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs for BaP. The MIP@MAPbBr3 PQDs were subsequently applied to the PL analysis of BaP in sunflower seed oil, cured meat, and grilled fish samples, achieving recoveries from 79.3 to 107%, and relative standard deviations below 10%. This molecularly imprinted fluorescence assay improves the selectivity of BaP in complex mixtures and could be extended to other analytes.

Application of Perovskite Nanocrystals as Fluorescent Probes in the Detection of Agriculture- and Food-Related Hazardous Substances

Halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are a new kind of luminescent material for fluorescent probes. Compared with traditional nanosized luminescent materials, PNCs have better optical properties, such as high fluorescence quantum yield, tunable band gap, low size dependence, narrow emission bandwidth, and so on. Therefore, they have broad application prospects as fluorescent probes in the detection of agriculture- and food-related hazardous substances. In this paper, the structure and basic properties of PNCs are briefly described. The water stabilization methods, such as polymer surface coating, ion doping, surface passivation, etc.; are summarized. The recent advances of PNCs such as fluorescent probes for detecting hazardous substances in the field of agricultural and food are reviewed, and the detection effect and mechanism are discussed and analyzed. Finally, the problems and solutions faced by PNCs as fluorescent probes in agriculture and food were summarized and prospected. It is expected to provide a reference for further application of PNCs as fluorescent probes in agriculture and food.

A Highly Sensitive Dual-Signal Strategy via Inner Filter Effect between Tween 20-Gold Nanoparticles and CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots for Detecting Cu2

A highly sensitive and accurate dual-signal strategy is developed for trace Cu²⁺ detection based on the inner filter effect (IFE) between Tween 20-gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). Tween 20-AuNPs are utilized as colorimetric probes and excellent fluorescent absorbers. The fluorescence of CdSe/ZnS QDs can be quenched efficiently by Tween 20-AuNPs via IFE. In the presence of D-penicillamine, D-penicillamine induces the aggregation of Tween 20-AuNPs and the fluorescent recovery of CdSe/ZnS QDs at high ionic strength. Upon addition of Cu²⁺, D-penicillamine tends to selectively chelate with Cu²⁺ and then forms the mixed-valence complexes, which consequently inhibits the aggregation of Tween 20-AuNPs and the fluorescent recovery. The dual-signal method is used to quantitatively detect trace Cu²⁺, with low detection limits of 0.57 μg/L and 0.36 μg/L for colorimetry and fluorescence, respectively. In addition, the proposed method using a portable spectrometer is applied to the detection of Cu²⁺ in water. This sensitive, accurate and miniature sensing system has potential in environmental evaluations.

A sensitive dual mode turn-on fluorescence and colorimetric nanosensor for ultrasensitive detection of trace amount of gluten proteins in bread products based on crystalline nano cellulose and gold nanoparticles

In this work, Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) encapsulated in the surface of crystalline nano cellulose grafted poly citric acid (CNC-g-PCA) and CNC-g-PCA/Au nanocomposite were synthesized successfully that exhibited stable and intense fluorescence property in aqueous buffer. A dual-mode nanosensor is reported with both colorimetric and fluorimetric readout based on citrate-protected AuNPs for discriminative detection of gluten proteins. The proposed sensing system consists of AuNPs and fluorescent CNCs, where CNCs function as a fluorimetric reporter and AuNPs serve a dual function as a colorimetric reporter and fluorescence quencher. The mechanism of the reported dual-mode nanosensor is based on two distance-dependent phenomena, the color change of AuNPs and FRET. The presence of gluten proteins can reverse the process by enlarging the inter-particle distance between AuNPs and CNCs and recovering the fluorescence emission of CNC. The linear range was 0.05 to 0.40 μgmL^-1 for UV-vis spectroscopy and 0.017 to 0.298 μgmL^-1 for fluorescence spectroscopy, The limit of detection was 4.43 ± 0.019 ngmL^-1 for UV-vis spectroscopy and 3.13 ± 0.033 ngmL^-1 for fluorescence spectroscopy (n = 6). The fabricated nanosensor was applied to the gluten analysis in gluten-free bread successfully.

One-step synthesis of blue emission copper nanoclusters for the detection of furaltadone and temperature

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), playing roles as a templating agent, can be applied to prepare blue-emitting copper nanoclusters (Cu NCs@PVP) on the basis of a rapid chemical reduction synthesis method. The Cu NCs@PVP displayed a blue emission wavelength at 430 nm and the corresponding quantum yield (QY) could reach 10.4%. Subsequently, the as-synthesized Cu NCs@PVP were used for the trace analysis of furaltadone based on the inner filter effect (IFE) between Cu NCs@PVP and furaltadone, which caused the fluorescence to be effectively quenched. Additionally, this proposed determination platform based on the Cu NCs@PVP for furaltadone sensing possessed an excellent linear range from 0.5 to 100 μM with a lower detection limit of 0.045 μM (S/N = 3). Meanwhile, the Cu NCs@PVP also could be applied for the sensing of temperature. Furthermore, the practicability of the sensing platform has been successfully verified by measuring furaltadone in real samples, affirming its potential to increase fields for the determination of furaltadone.

Substrate-free fluorescence ratiometric detection of serum acetylcholinesterase activity with a self-assembled CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals/tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid nanocomposite

A dual-emission fluorescent nanoprobe was successfully constructed through self-assembling CsPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals (CsPbBr₃ PNCs) and tetraphenylporphyrin tetrasulfonic acid (TPPS). Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is observed to directly quench the green fluorescence of CsPbBr₃ PNCs at 520 nm in the absence of an enzyme substrate, but has no significant influence on the red emission of TPPS at 650 nm. The decreased value of the fluorescence intensities ratio at 520 to 650 nm (ΔF₅₂₀/F₆₅₀) is proportional to the logarithmic value of AChE activity ranging from 0.05 to 1.0 U/L. The limit of detection is as low as 0.0042 U/L. The relative standard deviation is 3.6% in eleven consecutive measurements of 0.2 U/L AChE. The method exhibits a good anti-interference capacity since it does not respond to most concomitant species. Satisfactory results are acquired for the determination of AChE activity in human serum samples.

A novel polymeric fluorescence sensor based on acrylated citric acid for detection of melamine adulteration: Application in milk powder

Melamine selective acrylate citric acid (ACA) based polymeric membrane sensor was prepared by radical polymerization method and the sensor was characterized. The sensor showed a selective fluorescent response to melamine (λ_ex/λ_em = 388/425 nm). The sensor response is linear in the concentration range of 3.96 × 10^-9 to 7.93 × 10^-8 mol L^-1, the optimum pH value is 6.0 and response time is less than 1 min. Limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were calculated as 2.32 × 10^-10 mol L^-1 and as 7.74 × 10^-10 mol L^-1, respectively. The sensor showed great selectivity towards melamine in the presence of a large number of molecules and ions. The performance of sensor was also confirmed by determining of melamine in milk powder sample and the results were compared with HPLC results and acceptable results were obtained. As a conclusion, the results revealed that the proposed sensor is an interesting alternative for melamine determination.

A novel aptamer RRS assay platform for ultratrace melamine based on COF-loaded Pd nanocluster catalytic amplification

Two COFs of BzBD and BzBD loaded Pd nanoclusters (BzBD_Pd) were prepared using 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxaldehyde (Bz), benzidine (BD) and CO reducing agent, and were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and other techniques. BzBD_Pd can strongly catalyze the new and stable Au@NiP nanoreaction that exhibit a strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak at 538 nm and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorption peak at 395 nm, and the sensitive and facile RRS technique was used to study the indicator reaction. Combining the nanocatalytic amplification reaction with specific aptamer (Apt) of some target molecules such as melamine (ML), urea (UR) and bisphenol A (BPA), a simple, sensitive and selective Apt RRS assay platform was established. The linear range of the RRS detection platform for melamine is 0.0025-0.04 nmol/L, and the detection limit (DL) is 1.96 × 10^-4 nmol/L. In addition, ML in real sample was analyzed, the stability of BzBD, BzBD_Pd, PdNPs and the catalytic mechanism of COF_Pd were also considered.

Quick preparation of water-soluble perovskite nanocomposite via cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and its application

A good water-soluble and stable nanocomposite has been facilely prepared by the encapsulation of CsPbBr₃ QDs via cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and mineral oil through sonication, namely CsPbBr₃@CMO nanocomposite. Such method is very quick and simple without complicated instruments and strict conditions. The results reveal that the synthesized CsPbBr₃@CMO nanocomposite is spherical with uniform size and shows remarkably good solubility and stability in water. Specifically, the fluorescent intensity of CsPbBr₃@CMO nanocomposite in water is decreased by 0.76% after 3 h; this result is comparable with those in earlier studies, and the good stability in water might be owned to the hydrophobic core of the CsPbBr₃@CMO nanocomposite. The prepared CsPbBr₃@CMO nanocomposite has been applied as a sensitive fluorescent probe for monitoring hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and the fluorescence intensity (~ 524 nm) has a linear relationship with the concentration of H₂S in the range 0.15-105 µM with a detection limit of 53 nM, demonstrating application for monitoring H₂S in rat brain coupled with microdialysis apparatus with satisfied results. The present study not only provides a simple but sensitive approach for the detection of H₂S in living body, but also paves the way for expanding the application of CsPbBr₃ QDs to aqueous medium.

A signal-on fluorescent aptasensor by sensitized Tb3+ luminescence for detection of melamine in milk

A fluorescent aptasensor based on sensitized terbium(III) luminescence was constructed to detect melamine in milk. Tb³⁺ as the fluorescence probe can be sensitized by a guanine-rich single-stranded DNA sequence, so the complementary sequence of the polythymidine aptamer (cDNA) was modified with six consecutive guanine bases (G6). In the absence of melamine, melamine aptamer combined with cDNA to form a double helix structure, and G6 hybridized with the extended cytosine bases in the aptamer, resulting in low fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺. In the presence of melamine, cDNA was released due to the specific recognition of melamine to the aptamer, resulting in stronger sensitized fluorescence intensity of Tb³⁺. Under the optimum conditions, the linear concentration of melamine in the milk ranged from 1.0 μg/mL to 10.0 μg/mL. This aptasensor can be used for the accurate and rapid detection of melamine in milk with a detection limit of 0.02 μg/mL, and has the advantages of high sensitivity, high efficiency, simple operation and low cost.

Highly Sensitive and Selective Detection Toward Melamine in Dairy Product by Turn-On Fluorescence of Ultrathin Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheet

It is meaningful and promising to develop a practical sensor toward melamine in dairy products with high sensitivity and selectivity. However, complicated composition and environment in milk necessitate stable luminophore as sensor with excellent photophysical properties. Herein, ultrathin graphitic carbon nitride nanosheet (CNNS) is prepared via successive thermal polymerization and acid exfoliation. The photophysical property of CNNS states its strong ultraviolet absorption and intense blue-light emission. Noteworthily, the CNNS could act as a chemo-sensor to detect trace melamine in dairy products. The high stability, eminent sensitivity, powerful selectivity and competitiveness substantiates that this CNNS luminophore is a promising sensor for melamine in dairy products, being of potentially practical value on monitoring milk quality.

Determination of dopamine based on its enhancement of gold-silver nanocluster fluorescence

Dopamine (DA) is one of the most important neurotransmitters in human bodies and its sensitive detection remains a challenge. Herein, protein stabilized gold-silver nanoclusters (Au-AgNCs) were synthesized at first. It was found that the introduction of dopamine lead to a significant enhancement of the fluorescence from the nanoclusters, together with a red-shift of the peak. Through related spectroscopic and electrochemical studies, the fluorescence enhancement was attributed to the reduction of the nanoclusters by dopamine. This enhancement was then adopted for quantitative measurements, and linear responses toward dopamine in the ranges 0.01-1.7 μM and 1.7-10 μM were constructed. A limit of detection was obtained at 6.9 nM. The present study provided a facile and efficient method for the determination of dopamine, and the method was successfully applied for related measurements in serum samples.

Ratiometric fluorescence determination of alkaline phosphatase activity based on dual emission of bovine serum albumin-stabilized gold nanoclusters and the inner filter effect

A novel and convenient method for the ratiometric fluorescence detection of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity was proposed based on dual emission of bovine serum albumin-templated gold nanoclusters (BSA-AuNCs) and the mechanism of the inner filter effect between BSA-AuNCs and p-nitrophenol (PNP). First, ALP catalyzed the hydrolysis of the substrate p-nitrophenyl phosphate (PNPP) to produce PNP. PNP effectively quenched the emission peak of BSA-AuNCs at 410 nm because of the overlap in absorbance feature of PNP and the fluorescence spectrum of BSA-AuNCs, and the peak at 650 nm was almost unaffected. Thus, a sensitive ratiometric method for detection of ALP activity was developed using the fluorescence intensity of BSA-AuNCs at 650 nm as a reference signal. ALP activity versus the ratio of fluorescence intensities at 410 and 650 nm showed good linearity between 0.2 and 5 mU mL^-1 (R² = 0.9931) and high sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.03 mU mL^-1 (S/N = 3). The developed sensing method was successfully applied to investigate ALP inhibitors and detect ALP in serum samples.

Review on Sensing Applications of Perovskite Nanomaterials

Recently, perovskite-based nanomaterials are utilized in diverse sustainable applications. Their unique structural characteristics allow researchers to explore functionalities towards diverse directions, such as solar cells, light emitting devices, transistors, sensors, etc. Many perovskite nanomaterial-based devices have been demonstrated with extraordinary sensing performance to various chemical and biological species in both solid and solution states. In particular, perovskite nanomaterials are capable of detecting small molecules such as O2, NO2, CO2, etc. This review elaborates the sensing applications of those perovskite materials with diverse cations, dopants and composites. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms and electron transport properties, which are important for understanding those sensor performances, will be discussed. Their synthetic tactics, structural information, modifications and real time sensing applications are provided to promote such perovskite nanomaterials-based molecular designs. Lastly, we summarize the perspectives and provide feasible guidelines for future developing of novel perovskite nanostructure-based chemo- and biosensors with real time demonstration.