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Wang H, Wei Z, Vagin SI, Zhang X, Rieger B, Meldrum A. Ultrasensitive Picomolar Detection of Aqueous Acids in Microscale Fluorescent Droplets. ACS Sens 2022; 7:245-252. [PMID: 34936335 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.1c02076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We report on a fluorescent-droplet-based acid-sensing scheme that allows limits of detection below 100 pM for weak acids. The concept is based on a strong partitioning of acid from an aqueous phase into octanol droplets. Using salicylic acid as a demonstration, we show that at a high concentration, the acid partitions into the organic phase by a factor of 260, which is approximately consistent with literature values. However, at lower concentrations, we obtain a partition coefficient as high as 106, which is partly responsible for the excellent sensing performance. The enhanced equilibrium partitioning is likely due to the interaction of the dissociated acid phase with the sensor dye employed for this work. The effect of droplet size was determined, after which we derived a simple model to predict the time dependence of the color change as a function of droplet size. This work shows that color-change fluorescent-droplet-based detection is a promising avenue that can lead to exceptional sensing performance from an aqueous analyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2M9, Canada
| | - Zixiang Wei
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Sergei I. Vagin
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Bernhard Rieger
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Alkiviathes Meldrum
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2M9, Canada
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2
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Kalra AP, Eakins BB, Vagin SI, Wang H, Patel SD, Winter P, Aminpour M, Lewis JD, Rezania V, Shankar K, Scholes GD, Tuszynski JA, Rieger B, Meldrum A. A Nanometric Probe of the Local Proton Concentration in Microtubule-Based Biophysical Systems. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:517-523. [PMID: 34962401 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c04487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
We show a double-functional fluorescence sensing paradigm that can retrieve nanometric pH information on biological structures. We use this method to measure the extent of protonic condensation around microtubules, which are protein polymers that play many roles crucial to cell function. While microtubules are believed to have a profound impact on the local cytoplasmic pH, this has been hard to show experimentally due to the limitations of conventional sensing techniques. We show that subtle changes in the local electrochemical surroundings cause a double-functional sensor to transform its spectrum, thus allowing a direct measurement of the protonic concentration at the microtubule surface. Microtubules concentrate protons by as much as one unit on the pH scale, indicating a charge storage role within the cell via the localized ionic condensation. These results confirm the bioelectrical significance of microtubules and reveal a sensing concept that can deliver localized biochemical information on intracellular structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarat P Kalra
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States of America
| | - Boden B Eakins
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9107-116 St, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2 V4, Canada
| | - Sergei I Vagin
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Sahil D Patel
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States of America
| | - Philip Winter
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Maral Aminpour
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9107-116 St, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2 V4, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - John D Lewis
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2, Canada
| | - Vahid Rezania
- Department of Physical Sciences, MacEwan University, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 4S2, Canada
| | - Karthik Shankar
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Alberta, 9107-116 St, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2 V4, Canada
| | - Gregory D Scholes
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey 08544, United States of America
| | - Jack A Tuszynski
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
- Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1Z2, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (DIMEAS), Politecnico di Torino, Torino 10129, Italy
| | - Bernhard Rieger
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Alkiviathes Meldrum
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, 11335 Saskatchewan Dr NW, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
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Isci R, Unal M, Kucukcakir G, Gurbuz NA, Gorkem SF, Ozturk T. Triphenylamine/4,4'-Dimethoxytriphenylamine-Functionalized Thieno[3,2- b]thiophene Fluorophores with a High Quantum Efficiency: Synthesis and Photophysical Properties. J Phys Chem B 2021; 125:13309-13319. [PMID: 34807616 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.1c09448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
A wide series of 10 new triphenylamine (TPA)/4,4'-dimethoxytriphenylamine (TPA(OMe)2)-functionalized thieno[3,2-b]thiophene (TT) fluorophores, 4a-e and 5a-e, bearing different electron-donating and electron-withdrawing substituents (-PhCN, -PhF, -PhOMe, -Ph, and -C6H13) at the terminal thienothiophene units were designed and synthesized by the Suzuki coupling reaction. Their optical and electrochemical properties were investigated by experimental and computational studies. Solid-state fluorescent quantum yields were recorded to be from 20 to 69%, and the maximum solution-state quantum efficiency reached 97%. Moreover, the photophysical characterization of the novel chromophores demonstrated a significant Stokes shift, reaching 179 nm with a bathochromic shift. They exhibited tuning color emission from orange to dark blue in solution and showed fluorescence lifetime reaching 4.70 ns. The relationship between triphenylamine (TPA)/4,4'-dimethoxytriphenylamine (TPA(OMe)2)-derived triarylamines and different functional groups on thieno[3,2-b] thiophene units was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Recep Isci
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Melis Unal
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gizem Kucukcakir
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Naime A Gurbuz
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Sultan F Gorkem
- Chemistry Department, Eskisehir Technical University, 26470 Eskisehir, Turkey
| | - Turan Ozturk
- Chemistry Department, Istanbul Technical University, 34469 Maslak, Istanbul, Turkey.,Chemistry Group Laboratories, TUBITAK UME, 41470 Gebze, Kocaeli, Turkey
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Choi H, Wei Z, You JB, Yang H, Zhang X. Effects of Chemical and Geometric Microstructures on the Crystallization of Surface Droplets during Solvent Exchange. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:5290-5298. [PMID: 33891427 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
In this work, we investigate the crystallization of droplets formed on micropatterned surfaces. By solvent exchange in a microchamber, a ternary solution consisting of a model compound β-alanine, water, and isopropanol was displaced by a flow of isopropanol. In the process, oiling-out droplets formed and crystallized. Our results showed that the shape and size of the crystals on surfaces with chemical micropatterns could be simply mediated by the flow conditions of solvent exchange. More uniform crystals formed on hydrophilic microdomains compared to hydrophobic microdomains or homogeneous surfaces. Varying flow rates or channel heights led to the formation of thin films with microholes, connected networks of crystals, or small diamond-shaped crystals. Physical microstructures (represented by microlenses) on the surface allowed the easy detachment of crystals from the surface. Beyond oiling-out crystallization, we demonstrated that the crystal formation of another solute dissolved in the droplets could be triggered by solvent exchange. The length of crystal fibers after the solvent-exchange process was shorter at a faster flow rate. This study may provide further understanding to effectively obtain the crystallization of surface droplets through the solvent-exchange approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Howon Choi
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Zixiang Wei
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Jae Bem You
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Huaiyu Yang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, U.K
| | - Xuehua Zhang
- Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Alberta T6G 1H9, Canada
- Physics of Fluids Group, Max Planck Center Twente for Complex Fluid Dynamics, JM Burgers Center for Fluid Dynamics, Mesa+, Department of Science and Technology, University of Twente, Enschede 7522 NB, The Netherlands
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Zavaleta A, Lykhin AO, Monteiro JHSK, Uchida S, Bell TW, de Bettencourt-Dias A, Varganov SA, Gallucci J. Full Visible Spectrum and White Light Emission with a Single, Input-Tunable Organic Fluorophore. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:20306-20312. [PMID: 33202131 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c08182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The blue emission of M2biQ can be tuned to specific wavelengths throughout the visible region by changing the identity of the cation it interacts with. These optical properties are observed in MeCN solution and the solid state. White light is obtained in MeCN by using either the proper ratio of zinc ions or acid. Thus, M2biQ acts as a nearly universal emitter (λem = 468-690 nm) with large Stokes shifts (116-306 nm, Δν̃ = 7,042-11,823 cm-1). Full spectral profiles as well as quantum yields, lifetimes, and the crystal structures of key RGB and yellow emitters are reported. Emission wavelengths correlate with cationic radius, and TD-DFT calculations show that, for 1:1 complexes, the smaller the ion, the shorter the N-cation bond, and the greater the bathochromic emission shift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrés Zavaleta
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557-0216, United States
| | - Aleksandr O Lykhin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557-0216, United States
| | - Jorge H S K Monteiro
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557-0216, United States
| | - Shoto Uchida
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557-0216, United States
| | - Thomas W Bell
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557-0216, United States
| | | | - Sergey A Varganov
- Department of Chemistry, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557-0216, United States
| | - Judith Gallucci
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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Wang H, Vagin SI, Rieger B, Meldrum A. An Ultrasensitive Fluorescent Paper-Based CO 2 Sensor. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:20507-20513. [PMID: 32320202 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c03405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate a versatile and easily fabricated paper-based CO2 sensor. The sensor consists of a specially designed fluorescent color-shift chromophore infused into standard filter paper. The emission color of the resulting fluorescent paper changes upon exposure to CO2 due to the formation of carbonic acid, which underlies the sensing mechanism. By using a ratiometric method, the undesirable effects of photobleaching can be eliminated, leading to a stable and repeatable sensor performance. These multiuse sensors have a response time on the order of 1 min and feature low detection limits for a paper-based CO2 gas sensor, suggesting possible low-cost applications in smart buildings or other facilities in which CO2 levels are required to be continuously monitored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Wang
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
| | - Sergei I Vagin
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Bernhard Rieger
- Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Munich, Lichtenbergstraße 4, 85747 Garching bei München, Germany
| | - Alkiviathes Meldrum
- Department of Physics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta T6G 2E1, Canada
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