Optical Fiber Sensing Using Quantum Dots

Overview and emerging trends in optical fiber aptasensing

Optical fiber biosensors have attracted growing interest over the last decade and quickly became a key enabling technology, especially for the detection of biomarkers at extremely low concentrations and in small volumes. Among the many and recent fiber-optic sensing amenities, aptamers-based sensors have shown unequalled performances in terms of ease of production, specificity, and sensitivity. The immobilization of small and highly stable bioreceptors such as DNA has bolstered their use for the most varied applications e.g., medical diagnosis, food safety and environmental monitoring. This review highlights the recent advances in aptamer-based optical fiber biosensors. An in-depth analysis of the literature summarizes different fiber-optic structures and biochemical strategies for molecular detection and immobilization of receptors over diverse surfaces. In this review, we analyze the features offered by those sensors and discuss about the next challenges to be addressed. This overview investigates both biochemical and optical parameters, drawing the guiding lines for forthcoming innovations and prospects in this ever-growing field of research.

Multiple ratiometric nanothermometry using semiconductor BiFeO3 nanowires and quantitative validation of thermal sensitivity

Here, we report a very sensitive, non-contact, ratio-metric, and robust luminescence-based temperature sensing using a combination of conventional photoluminescence (PL) and negative thermal quenching (NTQ) mechanisms of semiconductor BiFeO3 (BFO) nanowires. Using this approach, we have demonstrated the absolute thermal sensitivity of ~ 10 mK−1 over the 300–438 K temperature range and the relative sensitivity of 0.75% K−1 at 300 K. Further, we have validated thermal sensitivity of BFO nanowires quantitatively using linear regression and analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and found close match with the experimental results. These results indicated that BFO nanowires are excellent candidates for developing high‐performance luminescence-based temperature sensors.

Graphical abstract

Optical quantum yield in plasmonic nanowaveguide

We have developed a theory of the quantum yield for plasmonic nanowaveguide where the cladding layer is made of an ensemble of quantum dots and the core layer consists of an ensemble of metallic nanoparticles. The bound states of the confined probe photons in the plasmonic nanowaveguide are calculated using the transfer matrix method based on the Maxwell equations. It is shown that the number of bound states in the nanowaveguide depends on the dielectric properties of the core and cladding layers. The surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) produced by the metallic nanoparticles interacts with the excitons of the quantum dots. The radiative and nonradiative linewidths of excitons in the quantum yield are calculated using the quantum mechanical perturbation theory. We have found that the quantum yield decreases as the dipole-dipole interaction between metallic nanoparticles increases. We have also calculated the photoluminescence and found that the enhancement in photoluminescence is due to the SPPs coupling. On the other hand, the quenching in the photoluminescence is due to the quantum yield. We compared our theory with experiments of a nanowaveguide where the core is fabricated from Ag- nanoparticles and the cladding is fabricated from the perovskite quantum dots. A good agreement between theory and experiments is found. Our analytical expressions of the quantum yield and photoluminescence can be used by experimentalists to proforma new types of experiments and for inventing new types of nanosensors and nanoswitches.

High-sensitivity chirped tapered fiber-Bragg-grating-based Fabry-Perot cavity for strain measurements

In this Letter, a novel, to the best of our knowledge, Fabry-Perot cavity, based on Bragg grating technology for temperature and strain monitoring, is presented. Such a structure consists of two linearly chirped fiber Bragg gratings of a significant length written in a thermally tapered optical fiber. The technological process for manufacturing such a grating allows for utilization of almost every tapered fiber, by means of its profile and also phase masks with various chirp ratios. For this type of structure, a method for strain discrimination based on monitoring of the cavity length is proposed, enabling potential multiplexation of the sensor of two structures, which have the similar reflection spectra, by means of their spectral position. The utilized sensing mechanism allowed for achieving strain sensitivity by means of the cavity length change as high as 5 µm/µɛ. Also, as it has been experimentally shown a structure can also be employed for measurements of temperature, with the sensitivity equal to 8.96 pm/°C.

Functionalized Microstructured Optical Fibers: Materials, Methods, Applications

Microstructured optical fiber-based sensors (MOF) have been widely developed finding numerous applications in various fields of photonics, biotechnology, and medicine. High sensitivity to the refractive index variation, arising from the strong interaction between a guided mode and an analyte in the test, makes MOF-based sensors ideal candidates for chemical and biochemical analysis of solutions with small volume and low concentration. Here, we review the modern techniques used for the modification of the fiber's structure, which leads to an enhanced detection sensitivity, as well as the surface functionalization processes used for selective adsorption of target molecules. Novel functionalized MOF-based devices possessing these unique properties, emphasize the potential applications for fiber optics in the field of modern biophotonics, such as remote sensing, thermography, refractometric measurements of biological liquids, detection of cancer proteins, and concentration analysis. In this work, we discuss the approaches used for the functionalization of MOFs, with a focus on potential applications of the produced structures.

Quantum 3D thermal imaging at the micro-nanoscale

Real-time and accurate measurement of three-dimensional (3D) temperature field gradient maps of cells and tissues would provide an effective experimental method for analyzing the coupled correlation between metabolism and heat, as well as exploring the thermodynamic properties of nanoparticles under complex environments. In this work, a new principle of quantum 3D thermal imaging is proposed. The photoluminescence principle of quantum dots is expounded and CdTe QDs are prepared by aqueous phase synthesis. Fluorescence spectral characteristics of QDs at different temperatures are studied. The optimized algorithm of the optical spot double helix point spread function is proposed to improve the imaging, where optimized light energy increased by 27.36%. The design scheme of a quantum 3D thermal imaging system is presented. The measurement range is (-8 mm, +8 mm). The temperature is calculated according to the temperature-heat curve of quantum dots. The double helix point spread function has converted the defocus distance of QDs into the rotation angle of the double optical spot, thereby determining its position. The experimental results reveal that real-time 3D tracking and temperature measurements of quantum dots at the micro-nanoscale are achieved. Overall, the proposed nano-scale 3D quantum thermal imaging system with high-resolution may provide a new research direction and exploration of many frontier fields.

Development of Technologies for Sensing Ozone in Ambient Air

Ozone (O₃) gas is widely used as a strong oxidizing agent for many purposes, such as the decomposition/removal of organic contaminants and photoresist, and the deodorization/disinfection of air and water. However, ozone is highly toxic to the human body when the air concentration exceeds about 1 ppm. Therefore, there is increasing demand for simple, sensitive, reliable, and cost-effective techniques for sensing ozone gas. This article describes the features, advantages, and disadvantages of the available, practical techniques for sensing ozone gas in ambient air. The advantages of optical gas sensors as next-generation sensors is specifically introduced. The features of photoluminescent, semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots, QDs) as bright phosphors with the potential for various applications is further explored. Lastly, recent research results demonstrating the ozone sensitivity of photoluminescent CdSe-based core-shell quantum dots are presented. These results strongly suggest that optical ozone sensing using photoluminescent quantum dots is a promising technique.

Temperature sensing using CdSe quantum dot doped poly(methyl methacrylate) microfiber

This work describes noncontact temperature measurements using wavelength shifts of CdSe quantum dot (QD) doped poly(methyl methacrylate) microfiber. The sensor is fabricated using a drawing method by bridging two tapered single mode fibers with a polymer microfiber (PMF) approximately 3 μm in diameter. A set of a PMF section with and without the doping of the CdSe-ZnS core-shell QD was applied as sensing probes and used to measure temperatures over the range of 25°C-48°C. The experimental results show that the doped PMF is able to achieve a higher performance with a reasonably good sensitivity of 58.5 pm/°C based on the wavelength shifting, which is about 18 times that of the undoped PMF temperature sensitivity. The proposed sensor showed a linear temperature sensing range that matches well with the physiologically relevant temperatures. Moreover, these results open the way for long-term and high-stability realization of temperature sensing optical fibers.

Anthracene Fibers Grown in a Microstructured Optical Fiber for X-ray Detection

Anthracene fibers are grown inside a microstructured quartz matrix to form a multicore optical fiber for X-ray detection. A modified fiber growth method for single crystal anthracene from the melt via the Bridgman-Stockbarger technique is presented. The anthracene fiber is characterized by using spectrophotometry, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. These results show the anthracene grown in fiber has high purity and a crystal structure similar to anthracene grown from liquid, vapor, and melt techniques. As an X-ray detector, the output is 12%–16% efficient between the energy ranges of 40 and 10 keV. The effect of materials and fiber processing are discussed.

Quantum dots in bioanalysis: a review of applications across various platforms for fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are brightly luminescent nanoparticles that have found numerous applications in bioanalysis and bioimaging. In this review, we highlight recent developments in these areas in the context of specific methods for fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging. Following a primer on the structure, properties, and biofunctionalization of QDs, we describe select examples of how QDs have been used in combination with steady-state or time-resolved spectroscopic techniques to develop a variety of assays, bioprobes, and biosensors that function via changes in QD photoluminescence intensity, polarization, or lifetime. Some special attention is paid to the use of Förster resonance energy transfer-type methods in bioanalysis, including those based on bioluminescence and chemiluminescence. Direct chemiluminescence, electrochemiluminescence, and charge transfer quenching are similarly discussed. We further describe the combination of QDs and flow cytometry, including traditional cellular analyses and spectrally encoded barcode-based assay technologies, before turning our attention to enhanced fluorescence techniques based on photonic crystals or plasmon coupling. Finally, we survey the use of QDs across different platforms for biological fluorescence imaging, including epifluorescence, confocal, and two-photon excitation microscopy; single particle tracking and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy; super-resolution imaging; near-field scanning optical microscopy; and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy. In each of the above-mentioned platforms, QDs provide the brightness needed for highly sensitive detection, the photostability needed for tracking dynamic processes, or the multiplexing capacity needed to elucidate complex systems. There is a clear synergy between advances in QD materials and spectroscopy and imaging techniques, as both must be applied in concert to achieve their full potential.

Metal uptake and nanoparticle synthesis in hairy root cultures

: Hairy roots are a convenient experimental tool for investigating the interactions between plant cells and metal ions. Hairy roots of species capable of hyperaccumulating Cd and Ni have been applied to investigate heavy metal tolerance in plants; hairy roots of nonhyperaccumulator species have also been employed in metal uptake studies. Furnace treatment of hairy root biomass containing high concentrations of Ni has been used to generate Ni-rich bio-ore suitable for metal recovery in phytomining applications. Hairy roots also have potential for biological synthesis of quantum dot nanocrystals. As plant cells intrinsically provide the confined spaces needed to limit the size of nanocrystals, hairy roots cultured in bioreactors under controlled conditions are a promising vehicle for the manufacture of peptide-capped semiconductor quantum dots.

Thermometry at the nanoscale

Non-invasive precise thermometers working at the nanoscale with high spatial resolution, where the conventional methods are ineffective, have emerged over the last couple of years as a very active field of research. This has been strongly stimulated by the numerous challenging requests arising from nanotechnology and biomedicine. This critical review offers a general overview of recent examples of luminescent and non-luminescent thermometers working at nanometric scale. Luminescent thermometers encompass organic dyes, QDs and Ln(3+)ions as thermal probes, as well as more complex thermometric systems formed by polymer and organic-inorganic hybrid matrices encapsulating these emitting centres. Non-luminescent thermometers comprise of scanning thermal microscopy, nanolithography thermometry, carbon nanotube thermometry and biomaterials thermometry. Emphasis has been put on ratiometric examples reporting spatial resolution lower than 1 micron, as, for instance, intracellular thermometers based on organic dyes, thermoresponsive polymers, mesoporous silica NPs, QDs, and Ln(3+)-based up-converting NPs and β-diketonate complexes. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in the development for highly sensitive ratiometric thermometers operating at the physiological temperature range with submicron spatial resolution.

Oral delivery of near-infrared quantum dot loaded micelles for noninvasive biomedical imaging

The purpose of this study is to design, develop, and characterize an optical imaging agent for oral administration. The hydrophobic, nanosized (7 nm), near-infrared (NIR) quantum dots (QDs) have been loaded into deoxycholic acid (DOCA) conjugated low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) micelles. The QD-loaded LMWH-DOCA (Q-LHD) nanoparticles have been characterized by electrophoretic light scattering (ELS) and a transmission electron microscope (TEM) which shows the average particle size was 130-220 nm in diameter. The Q-LHD nanoparticles also show the excellent stability in different pH conditions, and the release profile demonstrates the slow release of QDs after 5 days of oral administration. Concfocal laser microscopic scanning images show that the Q-LHD nanoparticles penetrate the cell membrane and are located inside the cell membrane. The real time pharmacokinetics studies show the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination profile of Q-LHD nanoparticles, observed by the Kodak molecular imaging system (KMIS). This study has demonstrated that the orally administered Q-LHD nanoparticles are absorbed in the small intestine through the bile acid transporter and eliminated through the kidneys.

Preparation of thermally stable well-dispersed water-soluble CdTe quantum dots in montmorillonite clay host media

In this work, a method to prepare a thermally stable QDs/clay powder is reported. First, several water soluble CdTe QDs characterised by different size-dependent emission wavelengths were synthesised through wet chemistry. Montmorillonite-Na(+) clay in water was dispersed into a muddy suspension by sonication. Then, the clay-water suspension was used as the host media for CdTe QDs to prepare the QDs/clay powder by freeze drying. The experiments showed that QDs/clay powder could be re-dispersed in water without changing the luminescent property of the QDs; this process was reversible. EDX showed that Cd and Te elements existed in the QDs/clay powder and the XRD tests showed that the clay [001] reflection peaks for raw clay, QDs (λ(em)=514 nm)/clay and QDs (λ(em)=560 nm)/clay were the same, namely 2θ=7.4°. Finally, QDs/clay powder was applied to the HDPE polymer extrusion process at 200 °C to produce thin films; the resultant QDs-polymer nanocomposite film exhibited strong fluorescence.

Fabrication and characterization of electrospun semiconductor nanoparticle-polyelectrolyte ultra-fine fiber composites for sensing applications

Fluorescent composite fibrous assembles of nanoparticle-polyelectrolyte fibers are useful multifunctional materials, utilized in filtration, sensing and tissue engineering applications, with the added benefits of improved mechanical, electrical or structural characteristics over the individual components. Composite fibrous mats were prepared by electrospinning aqueous solutions of 6 wt% poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) loaded with 0.15 and 0.20% v/v, carboxyl functionalized CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles (SNPs). The resulting fluorescent composite fibrous mats exhibits recoverable quenching when exposed to high humidity. The sensor response is sensitive to water concentration and is attributed to the change in the local charges around the SNPs due to deprotonation of the carboxylic acids on the SNPs and the surrounding polymer matrix.

Quantum-dot-doped polymer nanofibers for optical sensing

High-quality quantum-dot/polystyrene nanofibers (QD/PS NFs) are synthesized by drawing solvated PS doped with CdSe/ZnS QDs. As-drawn QD/PS NFs offer ultra-long-term photostability, flexibility, and excellent optical properties for sensing applications. Based on these active NFs, optical humidity sensors with extremely low power consumption, fast response, and long-term stability are successfully demonstrated, which may lead to a new category of nanometer-scale optical sensors.

Biosensors and nanomaterials and their application for mycotoxin determination

Mycotoxin analysis and detection in food and drinks is vital for ensuring food quality and safety, eliminating and controlling the risk of consuming contaminated foods, and complying with the legislative limits set by food authorities worldwide. Most analysis of these toxins is still conducted using conventional methods; however, biosensor methods are currently being developed as screening tools for use in field analysis. Biosensors have demonstrated their ability to provide rapid, sensitive, robust and cost-effective quantitative methods for on-site testing. The development of biosensor devices for different mycotoxins has attracted much research interest in recent years with a range of devices being designed and reported in the scientific literature. However, with the advent of nanotechnology and its impact on the evolution of ultrasensitive devices, mycotoxin analysis is also benefiting from the advances taking place in applying nanomaterials in sensors development. This paper reviews the developments in the area of biosensors and their applications for mycotoxin analysis, as well as the development of micro/nanoarray transducers and nanoparticles and their use in the development of new rapid devices.

QDs versus Alexa: reality of promising tools for immunocytochemistry

BACKGROUND

The unique photonic properties of the recently developed fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals (QDs) have made them a potential tool in biological research. However, QDs are not yet a part of routine laboratory techniques. Double and triple immunocytochemistries were performed in HeLa cell cultures with commercial CdSe QDs conjugated to antibodies. The optical characteristics, due to which QDs can be used as immunolabels, were evaluated in terms of emission spectra, photostability and specificity.

RESULTS

QDs were used as secondary and tertiary antibodies to detect beta-tubulin (microtubule network), GM130 (Golgi complex) and EEA1 (endosomal system). The data obtained were compared to homologous Alexa Fluor 594 organic dyes. It was found that QDs are excellent fluorochromes with higher intensity, narrower bandwidth values and higher photostability than Alexa dyes in an immunocytochemical process. In terms of specificity, QDs showed high specificity against GM130 and EEA1 primary antibodies, but poor specificity against beta-tubulin. Alexa dyes showed good specificity for all the targets tested.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates the great potential of QDs, as they are shown to have superior properties to Alexa dyes. Although their specificity still needs to be improved in some cases, QDs conjugated to antibodies can be used instead of organic molecules in routine immunocytochemistry.

Quantum dots - characterization, preparation and usage in biological systems

The use of fluorescent nanoparticles as probes for bioanalytical applications is a highly promising technique because fluorescence-based techniques are very sensitive. Quantum dots (QDs) seem to show the greatest promise as labels for tagging and imaging in biological systems owing to their impressive photostability, which allow long-term observations of biomolecules. The usage of QDs in practical applications has started only recently, therefore, the research on QDs is extremely important in order to provide safe and effective biosensing materials for medicine. This review reports on the recent methods for the preparation of quantum dots, their physical and chemical properties, surface modification as well as on some interesting examples of their experimental use.