Post-Synthetic Modification of Zr-based Metal-Organic Frameworks with Imidazole: Variable Optical Behavior and Sensing

UiO-66-NH2 -IM, a fluorescent metal-organic framework (MOF), was synthesized by post-synthetic modification of UiO-66-NH2 with 2-imidazole carboxaldehyde via a Schiff base reaction. It was examined using various characterization techniques (PXRD, FTIR, NMR, SEM, TGA, UV-Vis DRS, and photoluminescence spectroscopy). The emissive feature of UiO-66-NH2 -IM was utilized to detect volatile organic compounds (VOCs), metal ions, and anions, such as acetone, Fe3+ , and carbonate (CO3 2- ). Acetone turns off the high luminescence of UiO-66-NH2 -IM in DMSO, with the limit of detection (LOD) being 3.6 ppm. Similarly, Fe3+ in an aqueous medium is detected at LOD=0.67 μM (0.04 ppm) via quenching. On the contrary, CO3 2- in an aqueous medium significantly enhances the luminescence of UiO-66-NH2 -IM, which is detected with extremely high sensitivity (LOD=1.16 μM, i. e., 0.07 ppm). Large Stern-Volmer constant, Ksv , and low LOD values indicate excellent sensitivity of the post-synthetic MOF. Experimental data supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations discern photo-induced electron transfer (PET), resonance energy transfer (RET), inner filter effect (IFE), or proton abstraction as putative sensing mechanisms. NMR and computational studies propose a proton abstraction mechanism for luminescence enhancement with CO3 2- . Moreover, the optical behavior of the post-synthetic material toward analytes is recyclable.

Detection of different chemical moieties in aqueous media by luminescent Europium as sensor

Detection of different chemical moieties especially trace metals is important for humans as well as water safety. In this review, different detectors synthesized by the combination of different ligands with luminescent europium complexes were discussed for the separation of metals and chemical moieties in aqueous media. These detectors displayed high sensitivity and selectivity. The limit-of-detection values were very low indicating that these detectors are best suitable for the sensing of chemical moieties and trace metals. These detectors’ luminescent changes could be noticed with the naked eye.

Bio-inspired Track-Etched Polymeric Nanochannels: Steady-State Biosensors for Detection of Analytes

Bio-inspired polymeric nanochannel (also referred as nanopore)-based biosensors have attracted considerable attention on account of their controllable channel size and shape, multi-functional surface chemistry, unique ionic transport properties, and good robustness for applications. There are already very informative reviews on the latest developments in solid-state artificial nanochannel-based biosensors, however, which concentrated on the resistive-pulse sensing-based sensors for practical applications. The steady-state sensing-based nanochannel biosensors, in principle, have significant advantages over their counterparts in term of high sensitivity, fast response, target analytes with no size limit, and extensive suitable range. Furthermore, among the diverse materials, nanochannels based on polymeric materials perform outstandingly, due to flexible fabrication and wide application. This compressive Review summarizes the recent advances in bio-inspired polymeric nanochannels as sensing platforms for detection of important analytes in living organisms, to meet the high demand for high-performance biosensors for analysis of target analytes, and the potential for development of smart sensing devices. In the future, research efforts can be focused on transport mechanisms in the field of steady-state or resistive-pulse nanochannel-based sensors and on developing precisely size-controlled, robust, miniature and reusable, multi-functional, and high-throughput biosensors for practical applications. Future efforts should aim at a deeper understanding of the principles at the molecular level and incorporating these diverse pore architectures into homogeneous and defect-free multi-channel membrane systems. With the rapid advancement of nanoscience and biotechnology, we believe that many more achievements in nanochannel-based biosensors could be achieved in the near future, serving people in a better way.

Fabrication and sensing properties of phenolphthalein based colorimetric and turn-on fluorogenic probe for CO32- detection and its living-cell imaging application

Herein, an easy assembled colorimetric and ''turn-on'' fluorescent sensor (probe P4SC) based on phenolphthalein was developed for carbonate ion (CO₃^2-) sensing in a mixture of EtOH/H₂O (v/v, 80/20, pH = 7, Britton-Robinson buffer) media. The probe P4SC demonstrated high sensitive and selective monitoring toward CO₃^2- over other competitive anions. Interaction of CO₃^2- with the probe P4SC resulted in a significant increment in emission intensity at λ_em = 498 nm (λ_ex = 384 nm) due to the strategy of blocking the photo induced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. ¹H NMR titration and Job's methods, as well as the theoretical study were carried out to support the probable stoichiometry of the reaction (1:2) between P4SC and CO₃^2-. The binding constant of the probe P4SC with CO₃^2- was calculated as 2.56 × 10¹⁰ M^-2. The probe P4SC providing rapid response time (~0.5 min) with a satisfactorily low detection limit (14.7 nM) may be useful as a valuable realistic sensor. The imaging studies on the liver cancer cells (HepG2) shows the great potential of the probe P4SC for the sensation of intracellular CO₃^2- anions. Furthermore, the satisfactory recovery and RSD values obtained for water application confirming that the probe P4SC could be applied to sensing of CO₃^2- ion.

A novel voltammetric method for the sensitive and selective determination of carbonate or bicarbonate ions by an azomethine-H probe

Our study involved a simple, sensitive voltammetric method of determining either carbonate or bicarbonate ions independently with azomethine-H and a disposable pencil graphite electrode. The reduction of azomethine-H-carbonate complexes at approximately -930 mV formed in acetic acid-acetate buffer solution (pH: 4.25) was evaluated as a response. Among the results, the limits of detection and analytical ranges for carbonate ions were 3.7 μg L^-1 and 9.9-700.0 μg L^-1 and for bicarbonate ions were 9.0 μg L^-1 and 35.0-700.0 μg L^-1, and the relative standard deviations for carbonate and bicarbonate ions ranged from 1.33% and 6.93% at different concentrations. After the proposed method was applied to water, sparkling water, seawater and baking powder samples, the results were statistically evaluated and compared with those obtained from the potentiometric auto-titration system. Last, the complex stoichiometry of both carbonate and bicarbonate ions was comprehensively investigated with fluorescence and ¹H-NMR spectroscopy.

A new family of dinuclear lanthanide complexes exhibiting luminescence, magnetic entropy changes and single molecule magnet behaviors

Four isomorphic and dinuclear lanthanide complexes were synthesized. Complexes Eu^III and Tb^III exhibit strong emissions, while Gd^III shows the magnetocaloric effect and Dy^III displays a single-molecule magnet.

Synthesis of a Eu complex based on benzonitrile hydrolysis as the first luminescent probe for clinafloxacin

[Eu₂(pip)₂(PhCOO)₆] synthesized via hydrolysis of benzonitrile shows specific and quantitative photoluminescence quenching by clinafloxacin.

Cellulose-based fluorescent sensor for visual and versatile detection of amines and anions

It is practical and challenging to construct ultrasensitive and multi-responsive sensors for visual and real-time monitoring of the environment. Herein, a cellulose-based multi-responsive fluorescent sensor (Phen-MDI-CA) is fabricated, and realizes a visual and ultrasensitive detection of not only various amines but also three anions based on the change of the fluorescence and/or visible colors. Once exposure to various amines in both the solution and vapor state, the Phen-MDI-CA solution and test paper exhibit different fluorescence colors, which can be used to distinguish triethylamine, ethylenediamine, methylamine, aniline, hydrazine and pyrrolidine from other amines. Moreover, via combining the Phen-MDI-CA with the Phen-MDI-CA/malachite green ratiometric system, phosphate (PO₄^3-), carbonate (CO₃^2-) and borate (B₄O₇^2-) can be visually and accurately recognized depending on the change of the visible and fluorescence colors. In fluorescent mode, the LOD for B₄O₇^2-, PO₄^3- and CO₃^2- ions is as low as 0.18 nmol, 0.69 nmol and 0.86 nmol, respectively. Significantly, the Phen-MDI-CA can readily make a qualitative and quantitative detection of B₄O₇^2-, PO₄^3- and CO₃^2- anions in the mixture of anions. The state-of-the-art responsive behavior of Phen-MDI-CA originates from the amplification effect of cellulose polymer chain and the differentiated interactions between the sensor and analytes.

Tunable photoluminescence in flexible carboxylate ligand-based coordination polymers with interesting topologies and Fe3+ sensitivity

Complexes 1–5, showing different interesting topological networks from 1D ladder to 3D frameworks, exhibit selective and sensitive fluorescence quenching of Fe³⁺ ion.