A novel liquid crystal resonance Rayleigh scattering spectral probe for determination of trace Cr6

Hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺) has strong oxidizing property and toxicity. It has been identified as a carcinogen with obvious carcinogenic effect by the International Anti-cancer Research Center. Therefore, it has a great significance to establish a simple and sensitive method for Cr⁶⁺. In the solution, liquid crystal (LC) trans, trans-4-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-4'-n-pentylbicyclohexyl (DP) exhibits strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effect due to formation DP nanoparticles. It was used firstly as nanoprobe, to establish a simple and sensitive RRS energy transfer (RRS-ET) method for the determination of trace Cr⁶⁺ in water samples. The Cr⁶⁺ reacts with diphenylcarbazide (DCB) to produce purple complex. It is adsorbed on the nanoprobe surface, the purple complex as energy receptor and DP as energy donor to produce RRS-ET phenomenon, to make the RRS signal of 370 nm decreasing. In the range of 3-30 nmol/L Cr⁶⁺, with the increase of concentration, the RRS signal decreased linearly at 370 nm, with a detection limit of 0.49 nmol/L. This new RRS-ET method was applied to the determination of Cr⁶⁺ in water samples, with recovery of 96.0-104.7% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.44-9.98%.

Gold and silver nanoparticles in resonance Rayleigh scattering techniques for chemical sensing and biosensing: a review

This review (with 116 refs.) summarizes the state of the art in resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS)-based analytical methods. Following an introduction into the fundamentals of RRS and on the preparation of metal nanoparticles, a first large section covers RRS detection methods based on the use of gold nanoparticles, with subsections on proteins (albumin, bovine serum albumin and ovalbumin, glycoproteins, folate receptors, iron binding-proteins, G-proteins-coupled receptors, transmembrane proteins, epidermal growth factor receptors), on pesticides, saccharides, vitamins, heavy metal ions (such as mercury, silver, chromium), and on cationic dyes. This is followed by a section on RRS methods based on the use of silver nanoparticles, with subsections on the detection of nucleic acids and insecticides. Several Tables are presented where an RRS method is compared to the performance of other methods. A concluding section summarizes the current status, addresses current challenges, and gives an outlook on potential future trends. Graphical Abstract Change in the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) intensity when mixing the nanoparticles with the specific analyte.

A dual-model SERS and RRS analytical platform for Pb(II) based on Ag-doped carbon dot catalytic amplification and aptamer regulation

Several carbon dots doping with diferent elements (Ca, Ag, Au) were fabricated and their catalytic properties had been investigated in this paper. It was found that the Ag-doped carbon dots (CDAg) had played a role of mimic enzyme on the reaction of HAuCl4-H2O2 and generated nanogold particles with surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effects. The aptamer (Apt) can be adsorbed on the CDAg surface and cause the catalysis weakening. When the target Pb(II) was added, it would combine with the Apt to produce firm complexes Pb-Apt and desorb CDAg, which caused its catalytic effect restore. The formed nanogold had a strong RRS peak (at 375 nm) and a high SERS peak (at 1615 cm-1) in the presence of molecular probe (Victoria blue B, VBB). The dual-model signals of SERS and RRS increased linearly with Pb(II) concentration increase within the scope of 0.006-0.46 μmol/L and 0.01-0.46 μmol/L. And their detection limits respectively were 0.0032 μmol/L and 0.0048 μmol/L Pb(II).

An electrochemical aptasensor based on gold@polypyrrole composites for detection of lead ions

This work describes an electrochemical aptasensor for determination of lead ions (Pb²⁺). Composites prepared from gold nanoparticles and polypyrrole (Au@PPy) with good electrical conductivity were used to modify the surface of a screen printed carbon electrode for amplifying the current signal. Single strand DNA was immobilized on the electrode and binds lead(II) as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry at voltage of -0.2 V~0.6 V. Differential pulse voltammetry, measured at 0.10 V (vs.  Ag/AgCl), was used to monitor the interaction between aptamer and lead(II) using hexacyanoferrate as an electrochemical probe. In the presence of Pb²⁺, the aptamer forms a G-quadruplex, and the peak current is increased. By this method, Pb²⁺ can be detected in the range of 0.5-10 nM with a low detection limit of 0.36 nM. The aptasensor was successfully applied to the determination of Pb²⁺ in polluted soil and baby's nail. The method showed outstanding sensitivity and selectivity in detecting Pb²⁺, therefore is considered to have great potential in developing an environmental monitoring platform. Graphical abstract Schematic illustration of Pb²⁺ detection procedure and principle using an electrochemical aptasensor.

Hydride generation-resonance Rayleigh scattering and SERS spectral determination of trace Bi

In acidic solutions, Bi(III) was reduced by NaBH4 to form BiH3 gas. Using I3(-)graphene oxide (GO) as absorption solution, the BiH3 gas reacted with I3(-) to form I(-) that resulted in the I3(-) concentration decreasing. In the absence of BiH3, the I3(-) concentration was high, and as receptors it was closed to the surfaces of GO which was as donors. Then the surface plasmon resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) energy of GO transfers to I3(-) heavily, and results in the RRS quenching severely. With the increase of the Bi(III) concentration, the receptors and the RRS energy transfer (RRS-ET) decreased, so the RRS intensity enhanced linearly at 370nm. The RRS intensity was linear to the Bi(III) concentration in 0.05-5.5μmol/L, with a detection limit of 4ng/mL Bi. A new RRS-ET spectral method was developed for the determination of trace Bi(III). Using I3(-) as the absorption solution, silver nanorod (AgNR) as sol substrate and Vitoria blue B (VBB) as molecular probe, a SERS method was developed for detection of Bi.

A novel and highly sensitive nanocatalytic surface plasmon resonance-scattering analytical platform for detection of trace Pb ions

Gold nanoparticles (AuNP) have catalysis on the reaction of HAuCl4-H2O2. The produced AuNP have strong resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) effect and surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERS) effect when Victoria blue B (VBB) and rhodamine S (RhS) were used as probes. The increased RRS/SERS intensity respond linearly with the concentration of gold nanoparticles (AuNPB) which synthesized by NaBH4 over 0.038-76 ng/mL, 19-285 ng/mL, 3.8-456 ng/mL respectively. Four kinds of tested nanoparticles have catalysis on the HAuCl4-H2O2 particles reaction. Thus, a novel nanocatalysis surface plasmon resonance-scattering (SPR-S) analytical platform was developed for AuNP. The DNAzyme strand hybridized with the substrate strand to form double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) which couldn't protect AuNPc to aggregate to AuNPc aggregations, having strong RRS effect. Upon addition of Pb(2+), dsDNA could be cracked by Pb(2+) to produce single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) that adsorbed on the AuNPc surface to form AuNPc-ssDNA conjugates. The conjugates have strong catalysis on HAuCl4-H2O2 reaction. With increased Pb(2+) concentration, the concentration of AuNPc-ssDNA increased and lead to the catalytic activity stronger. The increased RRS intensity responds linearly with Pb(2+) concentration over 16.7-666.7 nmol/L. The SERS intensity responded linearly with the concentration of Pb(2+) over 50-500 nmol/L.

Triple-wavelength overlapping resonance Rayleigh scattering method for facile and rapid assay of perfluorooctane sulfonate

In the present study, a novel triple-wavelength overlapping resonance Rayleigh scattering (TWO-RRS) method had been well established to detect perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). We found that crystal violet (CV) could react with PFOS to form 1:1 ion-association complex by electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic effect over a wide pH range (5.0∼11.0) in less than 60 s. The complexes would further self-aggregated into nanoparticles [CV-PFOS]n. Based on this phenomenon, not only the absorption and Raman spectra were changed but also the resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) intensities were significantly enhanced. And three new RRS peaks located at 327, 492, and 654 nm were clearly observed, respectively. At the same time, it was found that both the enhanced single-wavelength resonance Rayleigh scattering (SW-RRS) and TWO-RRS intensities against the concentration of PFOS showed an excellent correlation. The detection limits for the three single peaks were 27.4 nmol L(-1) (13.7 μg L(-1), 327 nm), 27.5 nmol L(-1) (13.8 μg L(-1), 492 nm), and 31.4 nmol L(-1) (15.7 μg L(-1), 654 nm), and for TWO-RRS method was 5.9 nmol L(-1) (3.0 μg L(-1)). Moreover, it could be applied to determine PFOS water samples successfully.

A simple cyanide sensing probe based on Ag/Fe3O4nanoparticles

The first direct approach in ultra-trace cyanide determination through a simple, selective and rapid reaction by simply-synthesized recyclable Ag/Fe₃O₄nanostructures.

A new and highly sensitive resonance Rayleigh scattering assay for lysozyme using aptamer-nanogold as a probe

Gold nanoparticles (GN), 10 nm in size, were modified by using lysozyme aptamer (Apt) to obtain a stable Apt–GN probe in pH 8.05 Tris/HCl buffer solutions containing 0.04 mol/L NaCl. Upon addition of lysozyme (LYS), it reacted with the Apt of the probe to form a very stable Apt–LYS complex and to release GNs, which aggregated to form large clusters with a resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) peak at 368 nm. The enhanced peak intensity, ΔI, was linear to the LYS concentration in the range 0.2–5.2 nmol/L, with a detection limit of 0.05 nmol/L. The influence of foreign substance was tested, and the results showed that this RRS method has high selectivity. This Apt–GN RRS method was applied to the analysis of LYS in a real sample, with satisfactory results.

Highly sensitive detection of chromium (III) ions by resonance Rayleigh scattering enhanced by gold nanoparticles

Simple and sensitive determination of chromium (III) ions (Cr(3+)) has potential applications for detecting trace contamination in environment. Here, the assay is based on the enhancement of resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) by Cr(3+)-induced aggregation of citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy were employed to characterize the nanostructures and spectroscopic properties of the Cr(3+)-AuNP system. The experiment conditions, such as reaction time, pH value, salt concentration and interfering ions, were investigated. The combination of signal amplification of Cr(3+)-citrate chelation with high sensitivity of RRS technique allow a selective assay of Cr(3+) ions with a detection limit of up to 1.0 pM. The overall assay can be carried out at room temperature within only twenty minutes, making it suitable for high-throughput routine applications in environment and food samples.