A Semi-Automatic Environmental Monitoring Device for Mercury and Cobalt Ion Detection

A syringe-based, semi-automatic environmental monitoring device is developed for on-site detection of harmful heavy metal ions in water. This portable device consists of a spring-embedded syringe and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) membrane-based flow regulator for semi-automatic fix-and-release fluidic valve actuation, and a paper-based analytical device (PAD) with two kinds of gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) for sensitive Hg2+ and Co2+ ion detection, respectively. The thickness of the elastic PDMS membrane can be adjusted to stabilize and modulate the flow rates generated by the pushing force provided by the spring attached to the plunger. Also, different spring constants can drastically alter the response time. People of all ages can extract the fix-volume sample solutions and then release them to automatically complete the detection process, ensuring high reliability and repeatability. The PAD comprises two layers of modified paper, and each layer is immobilized with bovine serum albumin-capped gold nanoclusters (R-AuNCs) and glutathione-capped gold clusters (G-AuNCs), respectively. The ligands functionalized on the surface of the AuNCs not only can fine-tune the optical properties of the nanoclusters but also enable specific and simultaneous detection of Hg2+ and Co2+ ions via metallophilic Au+ -Hg2+ interaction and the Co2+ -thiol complexation effect, respectively. The feasibility of the device for detecting heavy metal ions at low concentrations in various environmental water samples is demonstrated. The Hg2+ and Co2+ ions can be seen simultaneously within 20 min with detection limits as low as 1.76 nm and 0.27 µm, respectively, lower than those of the regulatory restrictions on water by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the European Union. we expect this sensitive, selective, portable, and easy-to-use device to be valid for on-site multiple heavy metal ion pollution screenings in resource-constrained settings.

Silicon nanoparticles / gold nanoparticles composite as a fluorescence probe for sensitive and selective detection of Co2+ and vitamin B12 based on the selective aggregation and inner filter effect

Cobalt as a transition metal ion is a biologically essential trace element, and plays an important role in various biological systems. The silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) / gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) composite as a simple and efficient fluorescent probe was developed to detect Co²⁺ and vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂) based on the selective aggregation and inner filter effect (IFE). The green-emitting SiNPs were synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method, and the AuNPs were synthesized and modified with thioglycolic acid and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The fluorescent probe was fabricated by simple mixing the SiNPs and AuNPs together. In the presence of Co²⁺/VB₁₂, AuNPs are selectively aggregated, which results in the enhancement of the local surface plasmon resonance absorption centered at 520 nm and the green fluorescence of SiNPs is significantly quenched via IFE. The fluorescence quenching efficiency of the probe is linearly proportional to the concentration of Co²⁺ in the range of 0.1-80 µM with a low detection limit of 60 nM, which is far lower than the guideline value of Co²⁺ in drinking water (1.7 µM). For vitamin B₁₂ (VB₁₂), its linear relationship is in the range of 0.1-100 µM, and the limit of detection is 69 nM. Furthermore, the proposed method shows good selectivity for the detection of Co²⁺ and VB₁₂, and does not need sophisticated pretreatment, only through simple filter. It has been applied in actual environmental water samples and drug tablets with satisfactory results.

Discovery of a novel camphor-based fluorescent probe for Co2+ in fresh vegetables with high selectivity and sensitivity

Cobalt is an essential micronutrient for human beings. The excessive intake of cobalt may lead to heart-related diseases. In this work, a novel fluorescent probe 1,1'-(((6,11,11-trimethyl-6,7,8,9-tetrahydro-6,9-methanopyridazino[4,5-b]quinoxaline-1,4-diyl)bis(azanylylidene))bis(methanylylidene))bis(naphthalen-2-ol) (PDS) was synthesized from camphor. The probe PDS could be utilized to selectively recognize Co²⁺ over other metal ions. There is a good linear relationship between fluorescence intensity of PDS and Co²⁺ concentration within 0-20 μM, and its detection limt was found to be 0.925 μM, which is far lower than the national standard for cobalt in drinking water in China. The possible coordination mechanism of PDS with Co²⁺ was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and density functional theory (DFT). The probe PDS was also successfully applied in detection of Co²⁺ in tap water and fresh vegetables.

A highly selective colorimetric and fluorescent probe for quantitative detection of Cu2+/Co2+: The unique ON-OFF-ON fluorimetric detection strategy and applications in living cells/zebrafish

Identifying and detecting similar target cations through combining "turn on" and "turn off" fluorescence mechanism is effective and challenging. Now a new colorimetric and ON-OFF-ON fluorescent probe N'-((7-(diethylamino)-2-oxo-2H-chromen-3-yl)methylene)-3-hydroxy-2-naphthohydrazide (L) was reported, which could detect Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ in phosphate buffered CH₃CH₂OH-H₂O solvent system. With the assistance of glutathione and pH adjustment, a unique ON-OFF-ON fluorescence detection strategy could be achieved for distinguishing Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺. The emission of probe could recover from the L-Cu²⁺ and L-Co²⁺ system by addition of GSH or adjusting pH value to 4, respectively, which is due to the abolishment of paramagnetic Cu²⁺/Co²⁺. Based on fluorescence titration experiments, the limit of detection was determined as 3.84 × 10^-9 M and 4.55 × 10^-9 M for Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺, respectively. Meanwhile, the detection limit reached 6.21 × 10^-8 M for Cu²⁺ and 6.96 × 10^-8 M for Co²⁺ according to absorbance signal output. Fast recognition of Cu²⁺/Co²⁺ can be achieved by obvious color changes from green to colorless under UV light, as well as from yellow to orange-red in room light. The binding mode of L toward Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ have been systematically studied by Job's plot analysis, ESI-MS, IR and density functional theory calculations. Most strikingly, further practical applications of the probe L in fluorescence imaging were investigated in MCF-7 cells and zebrafish due to its low cytotoxicity and good optical properties, suggesting that L could serve as a fluorescent sensor for tracking Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺in vivo.

Highly Stable and Regenerative Metal-Organic Framework Designed by Multiwalled Divider Installation Strategy for Detection of Co(II) Ions and Organic Aromatics in Water

MOF-based sensors capable of effectively and stably detecting toxic species in water have attracted huge attention in terms of improving environmental monitoring levels and water quality. Combining the flexibility of structure and modifying of pore surface, a multiwalled divider installation (MWDI) strategy is proposed and used for property enhancement. We herein report three metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) 1-3 based on a C₃ symmetry organic phosphonic ligand with topology increased from 3,6-connected to 3,8-connected. Among them, MOFs 1 and 2 with remaining binding sites and large pores display lower luminescence response to Co²⁺ than does the applying standard. Guided by the MWDI strategy, 3 with high rigid framework and triple molecular installer divided rhombic pore was achieved under top-down topological analysis as anticipated, which endows high sensitivity and rapid response to Co²⁺, contributed by the synergy from free activated sites and appropriate pore and molecular dividing effect. Particularly, the high stability of 3 in boiling solvent and acid/base solutions has been evidenced and explained by structural robustness and kinetic inertness. Moreover, 3 shows excellent detection ability toward trinitrophenol (TNP) over other aromatic analytes in water, attributing to the predomination of energy transfers. Of note is that the used framework can be in situ regenerated into a fresh one. That provides a promising strategy to prepare effective and economic luminescent sensors in a predictable way for property modification.

A single colorimetric sensor for multiple targets: the sequential detection of Co2+and cyanide and the selective detection of Cu2+in aqueous solution

A colorimetric chemosensor was developed for simultaneous detection of Co²⁺and Cu²⁺and for sequential recognition of Co²⁺and CN⁻.

A new fluorescent PET sensor probe for Co2+ ion detection: computational, logic device and living cell imaging applications

A new probe, 2 exhibit quenching with Co²⁺ (∼80% at 634 nm) while 2·Co²⁺ ensemble exhibit enhancement with NO₃⁻ (∼82% at 632.5 nm). On–Off–On behavior of 2 (Co²⁺ and NO₃⁻ ions) the function of a sequential XNOR gate and can be utilized in live cell imaging.

Highly selective and sensitive colorimetric chemosensor for detection of Co2+ in a near-perfect aqueous solution

An outstanding colorimetric chemosensor was developed to selectively detect Co²⁺ with the lowest detection limit through the color change from colorless to yellow.

One-pot synthesis of functionalized 4-hydroxy-3-thiomethylcoumarins: detection and discrimination of Co2+ and Ni2+ ions

A variety of 4-hydroxy-3-thiomethylcoumarin derivatives were synthesized via a one-pot three-component reaction catalysed by l-proline at room temperature. One of the derivative was used as fluorescence probe to monitor and distinguish Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺.

A rhodamine derivative as selective fluorescent and colorimetric chemosensor for mercury (II) in buffer solution, test strips and living cells

In this paper, we reported a new rhodamine derivative bearing 2,4-dichloroquinazoline as a selective fluorescent chemosensor for Hg(2+). The ring-opening process of spirolactam enabled the large fluorescent enhancement and colorimetric change by Hg(2+) induced configuration transformation of the rhodamine. Moreover, the fluorescence changes of the chemosensor were dramatically specific for Hg(2+) in the presence of other metal ions, which could meet the selective requirements for practical application. Under optimized experimental conditions, the linear response range covered the concentration range of Hg(2+) from 0 to 1.0×10(-6)M, and the limit of detection was calculated to be 2.7×10(-8)M. In addition, the probe was also successfully applied to the determination of Hg(2+) in water samples, test strips and living cells.

A colorimetric organic chemo-sensor for Co2+ in a fully aqueous environment

A novel practical “naked eye” probe for Co²⁺ in a fully aqueous solution has been developed.

A new fluorescent probe for Zn2+ with red emission and its application in bioimaging

Selectively probing Zn²⁺in vivo! A new fluorescent probe highly sensitive and selective for Zn²⁺ based on the ICT effect was designed. This probe showed potential application in biology.