Ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobes for visual detection: Design principles and recent advances - A review

Signal generation techniques for visual detection of analytes have received a great deal of attention in various sensing fields. These approaches are considered to be advantageous when instrumentation cannot be employed, such as for on-site assays, point-of-care tests, and he althcare diagnostics in resource-constrained areas. Amongst various visual detection approaches explored for non-invasive quantitative measurements, ratiometric fluorescence sensing has received particular attention as a potential method to overcome the limitations of intensity-based probes. This technique relies on changes in the intensity of two or more emission bands (induced by an analyte), resulting in an effective internal referencing which improves the sensitivity of the detection. The self-calibration, together with the unique optophysical properties of nanoparticles (NPs) have made the ratiometric fluorescent nanoprobes more sensitive and reliable, which in turn, can result in more precise visual detection of the analytes. Over the past few years, a vast number of ratiometric sensing probes using nanostructured fluorophores have been designed and reported for a wide variety of sensing, imaging, and biomedical applications. In this work, a review on the NP-based ratiometric fluorescent sensors has been presented to meticulously elucidate their development, advances and challenges. With a special emphasis on visual detection, the most important steps in the design of fluorescent ratiometric nanoprobes have been given and based on different classes of analytes, recent applications of fluorescent ratiometric nanoprobes have been summarized. The challenges for the future use of the technique investigated in this review have been also discussed.

Increasing cell viability using Cd-free – InP/ZnS@silica@layered double hydroxide – materials for biological labeling

In this work we describe the synthesis and characterization of InP/ZnS@silica@LDH nanoparticles and, moreover, their use as biomarkers.

Surface functionalization of quantum dots for biological applications

Quantum dots are a group of inorganic nanomaterials exhibiting exceptional optical and electronic properties which impart distinct advantages over traditional fluorescent organic dyes in terms of tunable broad excitation and narrow emission spectra, signal brightness, high quantum yield and photo-stability. Aqueous solubility and surface functionalization are the most common problems for QDs employed in biological research. This review addresses the recent research progress made to improve aqueous solubility, functionalization of biomolecules to QD surface and the poorly understood chemistry involved in the steps of bio-functionalization of such nanoparticles.

Silica-coated gradient alloy quantum dots with high luminescence for converter materials in white light-emitting diodes

DMA catalyst played a major role in maintaining the luminescence of the QDs. After silica coating, QD@SiO₂ exhibited high stability and retained their initial photoluminescence (PL) intensity in a flexible polymer nanocomposite film.

Dual core quantum dots for highly quantitative ratiometric detection of trypsin activity in cystic fibrosis patients

We present herein two colour encoded silica nanospheres (2nanoSi) for the fluorescence quantitative ratiometric determination of trypsin in humans. Current detection methods for cystic fibrosis diagnosis are slow, costly and suffer from false positives. The 2nanoSi proved to be a highly sensitive, fast (minutes), and single-step approach nanosensor for the screening and diagnosis of cystic fibrosis, allowing the quantification of trypsin concentrations in a wide range relevant for clinical applications (25-350 μg L(-1)). Furthermore, as trypsin is directly related to the development of cystic fibrosis (CF), different human genotypes, i.e. CF homozygotic, CF heterozygotic, and unaffected, respectively, can be determined using our 2nanoSi nanospheres. We anticipate the 2nanoSi system to be a starting point for non-invasive, easy-to-use and cost effective ratiometric fluorescent biomarkers for recessive genetic diseases like human cystic fibrosis. In a screening program in which the goal is to detect disease and also the carrier status, early diagnosis could be of great help.

A novel enzyme-mimic nanosensor based on quantum dot-Au nanoparticle@silica mesoporous microsphere for the detection of glucose

QD-Au NP@silica mesoporous microspheres have been fabricated as a novel enzyme-mimic nanosensor. CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were loaded into the core, and Au nanoparticles (NPs) were encapsulated in the outer mesoporous shell. QDs and Au NPs were separated in the different space of the nanosensor, which prevent the potential energy or electron transfer process between QDs and Au NPs. As biomimetic catalyst, Au NPs in the mesoporous silica shell can catalytically oxidize glucose as glucose oxidase (GOx)-mimicking. The resultant hydrogen peroxide can quench the photoluminescence (PL) signal of QDs in the microsphere core. Therefore the nanosensor based on the decrease of the PL intensity of QDs was established for the glucose detection. The linear range for glucose was in the range of 5-200 μM with a detection limit (3σ) of 1.32 μM.

Silica-based nanocomposites via reverse microemulsions: classifications, preparations, and applications

Silica-based nanocomposites with amorphous silica as the matrix or carrier along with a functional component have been extensively investigated. These nanocomposites combine the advantages of both silica and the functional components, demonstrating great potential for various applications. To synthesize such composites, one of the most frequently used methods is reverse microemulsion due to its convenient control over the size, shape, and structures. The structures of the composites have a decisive significance for their properties and applications. In this review, we tried to categorize the silica-based nanocomposites via reverse microemulsions based on their structures, discussed the syntheses individually for each structure, summarized their applications, and made some perspectives based on the current progress of this field.

Metabolic tumor profiling with pH, oxygen, and glucose chemosensors on a quantum dot scaffold

Acidity, hypoxia, and glucose levels characterize the tumor microenvironment rendering pH, pO2, and pGlucose, respectively, important indicators of tumor health. To this end, understanding how these parameters change can be a powerful tool for the development of novel and effective therapeutics. We have designed optical chemosensors that feature a quantum dot and an analyte-responsive dye. These noninvasive chemosensors permit pH, oxygen, and glucose to be monitored dynamically within the tumor microenvironment by using multiphoton imaging.

A novel ascorbic acid sensor based on the Fe3+/Fe2+ modulated photoluminescence of CdTe quantum dots@SiO2 nanobeads

In this paper, CdTe quantum dot (QD)@silica nanobeads were used as modulated photoluminescence (PL) sensors for the sensing of ascorbic acid in aqueous solution for the first time. The sensor was developed based on the different quenching effects of Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) on the PL intensity of the CdTe QD@ silica nanobeads. Firstly, the PL intensity of the CdTe QDs was quenched in the presence of Fe(3+). Although both Fe(2+) and Fe(3+) could quench the PL intensity of the CdTe QDs, the quenching efficiency were quite different for Fe(2+) and Fe(3+). The PL intensity of the CdTe QD@silica nanobeads can be quenched by about 15% after the addition of Fe(3+) (60 μmol L(-1)), while the PL intensity of the CdTe QD@silica nanobeads can be quenched about 49% after the addition of Fe(2+) (60 μmol L(-1)). Therefore, the PL intensity of the CdTe QD@silica nanobeads decreased significantly when Fe(3+) was reduced to Fe(2+) by ascorbic acid. To confirm the strategy of PL modulation in this sensing system, trace H2O2 was introduced to oxidize Fe(2+) to Fe(3+). As a result, the PL intensity of the CdTe QD@silica nanobeads was partly recovered. The proposed sensor could be used for ascorbic acid sensing in the concentration range of 3.33-400 μmol L(-1), with a detection limit (3σ) of 1.25 μmol L(-1) The feasibility of the proposed sensor for ascorbic acid determination in tablet samples was also studied, and satisfactory results were obtained.

Dual-emitting nanocomposites derived from rare-earth compound nanotubes for ratiometric fluorescence sensing applications

A new class of ratiometric fluorescence sensors composed of rare-earth (RE) compound nanotubes is described. Polyethylenimine-coated yttrium hydroxide fluoride nanotubes (YHF NTs) that were synthesized hydrothermally exhibit highly efficient fluorescence when doped with RE ions. The polyethylenimine on the NTs facilitates the incorporation of phosphors such as quantum dots or organic dyes onto the NT surface to produce dual-emitting nanocomposites which are excellent ratiometric fluorescence sensors. The phosphor layer and underlying tubes in the nanocomposites act as the indicator and reference probes, respectively. This ratiometric fluorescence method which can be applied to the detection of heavy metals in solutions, temperature sensing, and pH sensing boasts high sensitivity and selectivity as well as better accuracy than traditional intensity-based fluorescence methods.

Layered double hydroxides as carriers for quantum dots@silica nanospheres

Quantum dot-hydrotalcite layered nanoplatforms were successfully prepared following a one-pot synthesis. The process is very fast and a priori delamination of hydrotalcite is not a prerequisite for the intercalation of quantum dots. The novel materials were extensively characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetry, infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, true color fluorescence microscopy, photoluminescence, and nitrogen adsorption. The quantum dot-hydrotalcite nanomaterials display extremely high stability in mimicking physiological media such as saline serum (pH 5.5) and PBS (pH 7.2). Yet, quantum dot release from the solid structure is noted. In order to prevent the leaking of quantum dots we have developed a novel strategy which consists of using tailor made double layered hydrotalcites as protecting shells for quantum dots embedded into silica nanospheres without changing either the materials or the optical properties.