An ultrasensitive fluorescence sensor for determination of trace levels of copper in blood samples

A novel SBA-15-based fluorescent sensor, SBA-PI: mesoporous SBA-15 structure modified with iminostilbene groups, was designed, synthesized, and characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), low-angle X-ray diffraction techniques (low-angle XRD), and N₂ adsorption-desorption techniques. The SBA-PI as a sensor with a selective behavior for detection of Cu²⁺ comprises iminostilbene carbonyl as the fluorophore group. The SBA-PI sensor displays an excellent fluorescence response in aqueous solutions and the fluorescence intensity quenches remarkably upon addition of Cu²⁺. Other common interfering ions even at high concentration ratio showed either no or very small changes in the fluorescence intensity of SBA-PI in the absence of Cu²⁺. A limit of detection of 8.7 × 10^-9 M for Cu²⁺ indicated that this fluorescence sensor has a high sensitivity and selectivity toward the target copper (II) ion. The fabricated Cu²⁺ sensor was successfully applied for the determination of the Cu²⁺ in human blood samples without any significant interference. With the selective analysis of Cu²⁺ ions down to 0.9 nM in blood, the sensor is a promising and a novel detection candidate for Cu²⁺ and can be applied in the clinical laboratory. A reversibility and accuracy in the fluorescence behavior of the sensor was found in the presence of I^¯ that was described as a masking agent for Cu²⁺. Graphical abstract.

GB, Latiyan S, Jain S. Remarkably selective biocompatible turn-on fluorescent probe for detection of Fe3+ in human blood samples and cells

The robust nature of a biocompatible fluorescent probe is demonstrated, by its detection of Fe³⁺ even after repeated rounds of quenching (reversibility) by acetate in real human blood samples and cells in vitro.

Nitrogen rich core-shell magnetic mesoporous silica as an effective adsorbent for removal of silver nanoparticles from water

The production and increasing use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) obviously results in their release into the environment, leading to a risk to the environment due to their toxic effects. Thus, the removal of AgNPs from water is highly needed. Here, we demonstrate that nitrogen rich (∼10% nitrogen content) core-shell magnetic mesoporous silica is a promising adsorbent for the removal of AgNPs. For this, the poly(ethylenimine) functionalized core-shell magnetic mesoporous silica composites (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-PEI) were prepared, and characterized by TEM, FT-IR, XRD, TG and N₂ adsorption-desorption. The removal of AgNPs by Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-PEI as a function of contact time, concentration of AgNPs, solution pH and ionic strength were studied. The adsorption kinetic data could be described by the pseudo-second-order rate model. Both Langmuir and Freundlich models fitted the adsorption data well. The adsorption capacity for AgNPs is 909.1mg/g, which is 5-181 times higher than that of the previously reported adsorbents for AgNPs. Interestingly, the silver adsorbed onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-PEI exhibits highly catalytic activity for 4-nitropheol (4-NP) reduction with a rate constant of 0.072min^-1, which is much higher than those by other AgNPs reported before. The silver-loaded Fe₃O₄@SiO₂-PEI promises good recyclability for at least five cycles, showing great potential in practical applications.

A reusable aptasensor of thrombin based on DNA machine employing resonance light scattering technique

The design of molecular nanodevices attracted great interest in these years. Herein, a reusable, sensitive and specific aptasensor was constructed based on an extension-contraction movement of DNA interconversion for the application of human thrombin detection. The present biosensor was based on resonance light scattering (RLS) using magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) as the RLS probe. MNPs coated with streptavidin can combine with biotin labeled thrombin aptamers. The combined nanoparticles composite is monodispersed in aqueous medium. When thrombin was added a sandwich structure can form on the surface of MNPs, which induced MNPs aggregation. RLS signal was therefore enhanced, and there is a linear relationship between RLS increment and thrombin concentration in the range of 60pM-6.0nM with a limit of detection at 3.5pM (3.29S_B/m, according to the recent recommendation of IUPAC). The present aptasensor can be repeatedly used for at least 6 cycling times by heat to transfer G-quadruplex conformation to single strand of DNA sequence and release thrombin. MNPs can be captured by applying the external magnetic field. Furthermore, the proposed biosensor was successfully applied to detect thrombin in human plasma.

Egg-shaped core/shell α-Mn2O3@α-MnO2 as heterogeneous catalysts for decomposition of phenolics in aqueous solutions

Novel uniform ellipsoid α-Mn2O3@α-MnO2 core/shell (McMs) nanocomposites were prepared via a hydrothermal process with a shape-control protocol followed by calcination at different temperatures. The properties of the composites were characterized by a number of techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The core/shell materials were much effective in heterogeneous oxone(®) activation to generate sulfate and hydroxyl radicals for degradation of aqueous phenol. The McMs composites demonstrated catalytic activity for 100% phenol decomposition in short duration varying between 20 and 120 min, much higher than that of homogeneous Mn(2+) system with 95% phenol degradation in 120 min. They also showed a higher activity than single-phase α-Mn2O3 or α-MnO2. The catalytic activity of phenol degradation depends on temperature, oxone(®) concentration, phenol concentration, and catalyst loading. The catalysts also showed a stable activity in several cycles. Kinetic study demonstrated that phenol degradation reactions follow a first order reaction on McMs catalysts giving activation energies at 32.1-68.8 kJ/mol. With the detection of radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), the generation mechanism was proposed.

Magnetically recoverable fluorescence chemosensor for the adsorption and selective detection of Hg2+ in water

In order to conveniently and effectively detect the heavy metal ion Hg(2+) existing in water, a magnetic fluorescence chemosensor has been strategically prepared by immobilizing a Rhodamine B derivative RhB-tris(2-aminoethyl)amine on Fe3O4@SiO2-Au@PSiO2 composites via gold particles. The adsorption and detection for Hg(2+) ions were investigated with fluorophotometry. This chemosensor shows high sensitivity and high selectivity for Hg(2+) over other metal cations owing to the ring opening of the rhodamine fluorophore selectively induced by Hg(2+). In addition, the presence of Fe3O4 in the sensor also facilitates the magnetic separation of the Fe3O4@SiO2-Au-Hg(2+)@PSiO2 from the solution.

Fluorescent and colorimetric magnetic microspheres as nanosensors for Hg2+ in aqueous solution prepared by a sol-gel grafting reaction and host-guest interaction

Fluorescent sensing TSRh6G-β-cyclodextrin fluorophore/adamantane-modified inclusion complex magnetic nanoparticles (TFIC MNPs) have been synthesized via the cooperation of a host-guest interaction and sol-gel grafting reaction. Powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV-visible absorption and emission spectroscopy have been employed to characterize the material. Fluorescence and UV-visible spectra have shown that the resultant multifunctional nanoparticle sensors exhibit selective 'turn-on' type fluorescent enhancements and a clear color change from light brown to pink with Hg(2+). Owing to a larger surface area and high permeability, TFIC MNPs exhibit remarkable selectivity and sensitivity for Hg(2+), and its detection limit measures up to the micromolar level in aqueous solution. Most importantly, magnetic measurements have shown that TFIC magnetic nanoparticles are superparamagnetic and they can be separated and collected easily using a commercial magnet. These results not only solve the limitations in practical sensing applications of nanosensors, but also enable the fabrication of other multifunctional nanostructure-based hybrid nanomaterials.

Silica nanoparticles capture atmospheric lead: implications in the treatment of environmental heavy metal pollution

Lead (Pb) contamination in the air is a severe global problem, most notably in China. Removal of Pb from polluted air remains a significant challenge. It is unclear what potential effects silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) exposure can have on atmospheric Pb. Here we first characterized the features of SiNPs by measuring the particle size, zeta potential and the specific surface area of SiO(2) particles using a Nicomp 380/ZLS submicron particle sizer, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). We measured the content of the metal Pb adsorbed by SiNPs exposed to two Pb polluted electric battery plants using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). It is found that SiNPs exposed to two Pb polluted electric battery plants absorb more atmospheric Pb compared to either blank control or micro-sized SiO(2) particles in a time-dependent manner. This is the first study demonstrating that SiNPs exposure can absorb atmospheric Pb in the polluted environment. These novel findings indicate that SiNPs have potential to serve as a significant adsorbent of Pb from industrial pollution, implicating a potentially novel application of SiNPs in the treatment of environmental heavy metal pollution.

Visual test of subparts per billion-level copper(II) by Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle-based solid phase extraction coupled with a functionalized gold nanoparticle probe

By combining Fe(3)O(4) magnetic nanoparticle-based solid phase extraction with a gold nanoparticle-based visual test, a novel method was developed for the field assay of Cu(ii) in environmental water at subparts per billion-levels within 30 min. When a 200 mL water sample was treated with 12.5 mg L(-1) Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles by the proposed procedure, the detection limit with the naked eye was 0.2 μg L(-1) Cu(ii). The proposed method is very specific to Cu(ii), with tolerance against at least 100-fold amounts of other environmentally relevant metal ions except for Hg(ii) (25-fold), and was successfully applied to the detection of trace Cu(ii) in tap water, river water, and treated wastewater, and results agreed well with that determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Upconversion nanoparticles for sensitive and in-depth detection of Cu2+ ions

Detection of Cu(2+) ions and study of their subcellular distribution in physiological processes are of considerable significance because of their potential environmental and biological applications. Some fluorescence based sensors have been developed for selective detection of Cu(2+) ions, based on organic fluorescent probes that specifically bind to Cu(2+) ions. However, these sensors are not suitable for detection in biological samples due to the short penetration depth of UV/visible light used to excite the fluorescent probes. The use of near-infrared (NIR) light can afford penetration depths of an order of magnitude greater than that of visible light, however, a material that can convert NIR light to visible light is required. A facile method has been developed for in-depth detection of Cu(2+) ions based on fluorescence upconversion. A mesoporous silica shell is coated on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) and a Cu(2+) ion sensitive fluorescent probe, rhodamine B hydrazide, is incorporated into the mesoporous silica. Upon excitation by a NIR light, the UCNPs emit visible light to excite the Cu(2+)-sensitive fluorescent probe. Because of the unique optical properties of UCNPs and their ability to convert NIR light to visible light, this is a feasible method for sensitive and in-depth detection of Cu(2+) ions in a complex biological or environmental sample due to the low autofluorescence and the high penetration depth of NIR light.