Highly sensitive and selective detection of Alprenolol using upconversion nanoparticles functionalized with amphiphilic conjugated polythiophene

Abstract

Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are exclusive photoluminescent (PL) materials with the ability to convert low-energy excitation into high-energy emission via multiphoton absorption processes. In this research, a novel amphiphilic conjugated polythiophene was prepared to act as a functionalizing agent for NaLuF4:Yb3+/Er3+ UCNPs. The UCNPs, which were coated with amphiphilic polythiophene, were characterized by using FTIR, TGA, SEM, TEM, UV, and PL. This material was used as an optical sensor to detect Alprenolol, which is widely used for the treatment of high blood pressure. The developed sensor displays good analytical performance including a low limit of detection (LOD = 0.22 nM) and good linearity in the range of 0.5 nM to 75 μM. Furthermore, this sensor was applied successfully to determine the level of Alprenolol in human urine and serum samples with good recoveries of 97–104%.