Detection Of Environmental Pollutants Research Articles

Enhanced Fluorescence Based on Slow Light Effect of ZIF-8 Photonic Crystals for Trace 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol Detection.

In response to growing concerns about public safety and environmental conservation, it is essential to develop a precise identification method for trace explosives. To improve the stability and detection sensitivity of perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) and address the issue of low porosity in traditional polymer-based photonic crystals (PhCs), this study proposed a PQD photoluminescence (PL) enhancement strategy based on the slow light effect of ZIF-8 PhCs for highly sensitive, selective, and convenient detection of 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP). The slow light effect at the photonic band gap edge is the basis of amplifying the PL signal. PhCs were fabricated by the evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The diffraction wavelength overlapping the whole visible region was designed to match the emission wavelength of PQDs. Results showed that PhCs matching the PBG edge with PQDs' emission peak amplified the PL signal 11.3 times, significantly improving sensitivity for trace TNP detection with a limit as low as 2.52 nM. Moreover, there was a 13.3-fold enhancement of PQDs' fluorescence lifetime when the emission wavelength fell in the PBG range. The hydrophobic surface of ZIF-8 PhCs enhanced the PQDs' stability and moisture resistance. Furthermore, the selective quenching mechanism of TNP by the sensor was photoinduced electron transfer (PET) verified by DFT calculations and time-resolved PL decay dynamics measurements. This study demonstrated great potential for manipulating light emission enhancement by PhCs in developing efficient fluorescent sensors for trace environmental pollutant detection.

Aptamer molecular gate functionalized mesoporous SiO2@MB controlled-release system for pollutant detection using Ti(Ⅲ) self-doped TiO2 NTs as active photoanode coupled with electrostatic modulation

Atrazine (ATZ) is a widely used herbicide that can cause serious harm to organisms and ecosystems. An immobilization-free photoelectrochemical (PEC) aptasensor has been herein developed for ATZ based on aptamer molecular gate functionalized mesoporous SiO2@MB controlled release system. Compared with traditional immobilization-based sensors, immobilization-free sensors (IFSs) avoid the modification of the recognition element on the electrode surface. Mesoporous SiO2 with large surface area and good biocompatibility can be used as nanocontainers to stably encapsulate the signal shuttle molecule methylene blue (MB). The bifunctional aptamer (APT) is used not only as the recognition element for ATZ but also as the signal switch to block or release MB. In the presence of ATZ, the specific recognition between ATZ and APT will cause the detachment of APT from the surface of SiO2, thus the molecular gate will open and release MB. Due to pH modulation, the positively charged MB can reach the surface of the negatively charged Ti(III) self-doped TiO2 NTs (Ti(III)–TiO2 NTs) electrode to act as an electron donor, which increases the photocurrent. The immobilization-free aptasensor has shown ultrasensitive detection of ATZ with a wide linear range from 1.0 pM to 100.0 nM and a low detection limit of 0.1 pM. In addition, the sensor has excellent selectivity, stability and anti-interference ability, and has been used in real water sample analysis successfully. This strategy has provided a new idea for the design of advanced immobilization-free PEC sensors for environmental pollutant detection.

Portable detection platform integrated with smartphone-assisted ratiometric fluorescence sensor for visual on-site detection of lead(Ⅱ) in aquatic products

Lead ion (Pb2+) pollution seriously threatens the quality of aquatic products. In this study, a ratiometric fluorescence sensor consisting of tangerine fluorescent Mn:ZnS QDs (T-QDs) and blue fluorescent Fe-MOF (B-MOF) was developed for selective recognition of Pb2+. Upon exposure to Pb2+, the fluorescence of T-QDs was quenched while the fluorescence of B-QDs was slightly changed, causing the changes of fluorescence colors from tangerine to blue with a detection limit (LOD) of 3.79 nmol/L. The sensor also had the strengths of low cost, easy to operate, excellent sensitivity and selectivity. Significantly, a portable detection platform integrated with the sensor was constructed to achieve on-site visual detection. As expected, the detection platform was successfully applied for testing Pb2+ with the LOD of 7.78 nmol/L. The strategy may not only provide a great capacity for on-site monitoring of Pb2+ in aquatic products but also expand application in environmental pollution detection.

Visual Eosin Y-Based Photosensitization Sensing Systems for Ultrasensitive Detection of Diclofenac with Single-Atom Co─N2O2 Site-Immobilized g-C3N4 Nanosheets.

It is highly desired to develop a visual sensing system for ultrasensitive detection of colorless diclofenac (DCF), yet with a significant challenge. Herein, a novel dye-based photosensitization sensing system has been successfully developed for detecting DCF for the first time, in which the used dye eosin Y (DeY) can strongly absorb visible light and then be decolorized obviously by transferring photogenerated electrons to g-C3N4 nanosheets (CN), while the built single-atomic Co─N2O2 sites on CN by boron-oxygen connection can competitively adsorb DCF to impede the photosensitization decoloration of DeY. This system exhibits a broad detection range from 8ngL-1 to 2 mgL-1 with 535nm light, an exceptionally low detection limit (3.5ngL-1), and remarkable selectivity. Through the time-resolved, in situ technologies, and theoretical calculations, the decolorization of DeY is attributed to the disruption of DeY's conjugated structure caused by the triplet excited state electron transfer from DeY to CN, meanwhile, the adsorbed oxygen facilitates the charge transfer process. The preferential adsorption of DCF mainly depends on the strong interactions between the as-constructed single-atom Co and Cl in DCF. This study opens an innovative light-driven sensing system by combining dye and single-atom metal/nanomaterial for visually intuitive detection of environmental pollutants.

Fabrication of Curcumin-Based Electrochemical Nanosensors for the Detection of Environmental Pollutants: 1,4-Dioxane and Hydrazine.

This work reports the development of novel curcuminoid-based electrochemical sensors for the detection of environmental pollutants from water. In this study, the first set of electrochemical experiments was carried out using curcumin-conjugated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-CM) for 1,4-dioxane detection. The MWCNT-CM/GCE showed good sensitivity (103.25 nA nM-1 cm-2 in the linear range 1 nM to 1 µM), with LOD of 35.71 pM and LOQ of 108.21 pM. The second set of electrochemical experiments was carried out with bisdemethoxy curcumin analog quantum dots (BDMCAQD) for hydrazine detection. The BDMCAQD/GCE exhibited good sensitivity (74.96 nA nM-1 cm-2 in the linear range 100 nM to 1 µM), with LOD of 10 nM and LOQ of 44.93 nM. Thus, this work will serve as a reference for the fabrication of metal-free electrochemical sensors using curcuminoids as the redox mediator for the enhanced detection of environmental pollutants.

Integration of high-entropy nanozyme and hollow In2S3 nanotube heterostructures decorated with WO3 for ultrasensitive PEC aptasensing of highly toxic mycotoxin

As a highly toxic mycotoxin, patulin threatens human and animal health. Herein, a new signal amplification strategy was designed for photoelectrochemical (PEC) analysis of patulin based on nanotube-like In2S3/WO3 heterostructures with the assistance of PtRuFeCoW high-entropy alloy nanorods (HEANRs). Specifically, the prominent photoactivity of the In2S3/WO3 was investigated by UV−vis diffuse reflectance and photoluminescence spectroscopy, coupled by elaborating the photoelectron transport mechanism in detail. Simultaneously, the excellent peroxidase-like activity of the PtRuFeCoW HEANRs was certificated mainly by UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. On such foundation, the PtRuFeCoW HEANRs modified capture DNA was cast onto the In2S3/WO3 based photoanode for catalyzing 4-chloro-1-naphthol (4-CN) oxidation to form insoluble benz-4-chloro-hexadienone (4-CD) precipitate in the presence of H2O2, ultimately weakening the PEC currents. The resulting PEC sensor exhibited a wider detection range from 0.1 pg mL−1 to 500 ng mL−1 and a lower detection limit was down to 0.063 pg mL−1 (S/N = 3). The HEANRs nanozyme assisted PEC method holds great promise for ultrasensitive detection of environmental pollutants in practice.

Phosphorothioate-modified G-quadruplex as a signal-on dual-mode reporter for CRISPR/Cas12a-based portable detection of environmental pollutants

BackgroundClustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas12a-powered biosensor with a G-quadruplex (G4) reporter offer the benefits of simplicity and sensitivity, making them extensively utilized in detection applications. However, these biosensors used for monitoring pollutants in environmental water samples may face the problem of high background signal and easy interference due to the “signal-off” output. It is obvious that a biosensor based on the CRISPR/Cas12a system and G4 with a “signal on” output mode needs to be designed for detecting environmental pollutants. ResultsBy using phosphorothioate-modified G4 as a reporter and catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) integrated with Cas12a as an amplification strategy, a “signal-on” colorimetric/photothermal biosensor (psG4-CHA/Cas) for portable detection of environmental pollutants was developed. With the help of functional nucleotides, the target pollutant (kanamycin or Pb2+) triggers a CHA reaction to produce numerous double-strand DNA, which can activate Cas12a′s trans-cleavage activity. The active Cas12a cleaves locked DNA to release caged psG-rich sequences. Upon binding hemin, the psG-rich sequence forms a psG4/hemin complex, facilitating the oxidation of the colorless 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) into the blue photothermal agent (oxTMB). The smartphone was employed for portable colorimetric detection of kanamycin and Pb2+. The detection limits were found to be 100 pM for kanamycin and 50 pM for Pb2+. Detection of kanamycin and Pb2+ was also carried out using a portable thermometer with a detection limit of 10 pM for kanamycin and 8 pM for Pb2+. SignificanceSensitive, selective, simple and robust detection of kanamycin and Pb2+ in environmental water samples is achieved with the psG4-CHA/Cas system. This system not only provides a new perspective on the development of efficient CRISPR/Cas12a-based “signal-on” designs, but also has a promising application for safeguarding human health and environmental monitoring.

Bringing satellite and nanotechnologies together: unifying strengths against pollution and climate change

Nowadays, we witness remarkable technological progress alongside unprecedented challenges that threaten the delicate balance of our planet’s ecological system. Environmental contamination plays a central role in this, with rapid urbanization, industrialization, mining and agricultural practices intensifying the introduction of pollutants into the environment. This article highlights the potential synergy between two fields operating at vastly different scales: satellite technology and nanotechnology. This article delves into the offerings of each of these disciplines and examines how they can mutually contribute to the detection, prevention and mitigation of environmental pollution. Satellites play a crucial role in identifying and monitoring large-scale polluted areas, offering comprehensive insights into environmental challenges. They are indispensable in tracking air, water pollution levels, assessing land degradation, and monitoring changes in ocean health with relatively high spatial and temporal resolution. Nanotechnology leverages the unique properties of materials at sub-micron scale by offering amplified chemical reactivity and new optical, electronic, and magnetic attributes, enabling selective and sensitive sensors and rapid and efficient contaminant capture/degradation strategies. Emerging nanomaterials, along with nature-inspired and self-powered or self-sustaining designs, broaden capabilities for efficient solutions. Advanced nanocharacterization techniques deepen material understanding and quantification, while nanofabrication allows precise design of functional nano-devices. We believe the synergistic relationship between both fields can yield cooperative solutions, expediting effective measures and greatly influencing policy decisions. This article advocates for the collaboration between these two disciplines to foster impactful progress in facing global challenges.

Trends, progress and future directions of nanomaterial based sensors: a bibliometric overview

PurposeNanosensors have a wide range of applications because of their high sensitivity, selectivity and specificity. In the past decade, extensive and pervasive research related to nanosensors has led to significant progress in diverse fields, such as biomedicine, environmental monitoring and industrial process control. This led to better and more efficient detection and monitoring of physical and chemical properties at better resolution, opening new horizons in the development of novel technologies and applications for improved human health, environment protection, enhanced industrial processes, etc.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, the authors discuss the application of citation network analysis in the field of nanosensor research and development. Cluster analysis was carried out using papers published in the field of nanomaterial-based sensor research, and an in-depth analysis was carried out to identify significant clusters. The purpose of this study is to provide researchers to identify a pathway to the emerging areas in the field of nanosensor research. The authors have illustrated the knowledge base, knowledge domain and knowledge progression of nanosensor research using the citation analysis based on 3,636 Science Citation Index papers published during the period 2011 to 2021.FindingsAmong these papers, the bibliographic study identified 809 significant research publications, 11 clusters, 556 research sector keywords, 1,296 main authors, 139 referenced authors, 63 nations, 206 organizations and 42 journals. The authors have identified single quantum dot (QD)-based nanosensor for biological applications, carbon dot-based nanosensors, self-powered triboelectric nanogenerator-based nanosensor and genetically encoded nanosensor as the significant research hotspots that came to the fore in recent years. The future trend in nanosensor research might focus on the development of efficient and cost-effective designs for the detection of numerous environmental pollutants and biological molecules using mesostructured materials and QDs. It is also possible to optimize the detection methods using theoretical models, and generalized gradient approximation has great scope in sensor development.Research limitations/implicationsThe future trend in nanosensor research might focus on the development of efficient and cost-effective designs for the detection of numerous environmental pollutants and biological molecules using mesostructured materials and QDs. It is also possible to optimize the detection methods using theoretical models, and generalized gradient approximation has great scope in sensor development.Originality/valueThis is a novel bibliometric analysis in the area of “nanomaterial based sensor,” which is carried out in CiteSpace software.

Novel Covalent Bonds and Hydrogen Bonds Linked Porous Organic Frameworks as Chemosensor for Detecting 2,4,6-Trinitrophenol in Water and Soil Samples.

A novel and unconventional structural porous organic framework combined through the synergistic effect of covalent bonds and hydrogen bonds was prepared with the combination of 4,4',4″,4‴-(pyrene-1,3,6,8-tetrayl)tetraaniline (Py) and 5-hydroxyisophthalaldehyde (HP). It was the second example of CHOF until now and had been designated as Py-HP CHOF. The suspension of Py-HP CHOF in various solvents, such as ethanol, CH3CN, and methanol, exhibited a remarkably selective and sensitive "on-off" fluorescence response toward 2,4,6-trinitrophenol (TNP) compared with other explosives, with exceptionally low detection limits. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra confirmed that the framework of Py-HP CHOF collapsed after interaction with TNP and acid, further indicating the existence of hydrogen bonds in the framework of Py-HP CHOF. The fluorescence quenching can be ascribed to the photoinduced electron transfer and the absorption competition quenching, as supported by XRD, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results, UV-vis absorption spectra, and density functional theory calculations. Fluorescence channels can be utilized by Py-HP CHOF to function as chemosensor, enabling the identification and detection of TNP in water and soil, and Py-HP CHOF is also the second CHOF example of sensing TNP reported to date. The application of this technique exhibits considerable potential in the analysis and detection of environmental pollutants, thereby presenting substantial practical implications.

3D hierarchical flowerball-like CoSe2/MnSe nanosheet arrays as a novel electrode for electrochemical sensing of hydrazine

Hydrazine (N2H4) is considered to be a highly toxic substance harmful to human body and environment, and has received much attention in the field of electrochemical detection in recent years. In this study, 3D hierarchical flowerball-like CoSe2/MnSe nanosheet arrays (CoSe2/MnSe FNSAs) were obtained using CoMn-LDH as precursor and cobalt glycerate spheres as the sacrificial template by simple hydrothermal reaction and selenization method. Bimetal selenides have more active electrochemical activity and more abundant electrochemical redox reactions. The unique hierarchical flowerball-like nanosheet array heterostructure can accelerate ionic diffusion kinetics and improve electron transfer. As a hydrazine electrochemical sensor, CoSe2/MnSe FNSAs exhibits excellent electrocatalytic performance with a wide detection range of 0.001–7.45 mM and a low detection limit of 0.4 μM. This strategy provides a new choice for the detection of environmental organic pollutants.

Environmental pollution detection from susceptibility and conductivity measurement under microwave field: pollution detection under microwave field

Environmental pollution detection from susceptibility and conductivity measurement under microwave field: pollution detection under microwave field

Colorimetric detection of clotrimazole environmental pollutant using a newly developed chemosensor; an experimental and theoretical study

ABSTRACT Clotrimazole (CTZ), as an antifungal medication, is used to treat dermatological infections in humans, and to remove fungal infections from plants in agriculture, but its widespread usage has led to pharmaceutical pollution and environmental concerns. In this study, a new bromopyrogallol red (BPR) and N i 2 + based colorimetric sensor was developed for the selective and sensitive detection of CTZ. The BPR-Ni complex showed a clear colour change from purple to violet in the presence of CTZ, and a significant change was observed in the UV-Vis spectrum. The stoichiometric ratio of 1:1 between BPR and N i 2 + was determined using the Benesi-Hildebrand method. DFT and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) were applied to identify the molecular and electronic structures of the BPR, BPR-Ni, and BPR-Ni-CTZ in ground and excited states. The nature of electronic excitations and charge transfers was evaluated using the natural transition orbitals (NTO). The NTO analysis reveals that the Ni atom facilitates the charge transfer process between BPR and CTZ and improves the sensitivity of the chemosensor. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was employed to determine the nature of interactions between BPR, N i 2 + , and CTZ. This study paves the way for the detection of environmentally harmful pharmaceutical pollution using simple but effective colorimetric sensors.

Advanced Electrospinning Technology Applied to Polymer-Based Sensors in Energy and Environmental Applications.

Due to its designable nanostructure and simple and inexpensive preparation process, electrospun nanofibers have important applications in energy collection, wearable sports health detection, environmental pollutant detection, pollutant filtration and degradation, and other fields. In recent years, a series of polymer-based fiber materials have been prepared using this method, and detailed research and discussion have been conducted on the material structure and performance factors. This article summarizes the effects of preparation parameters, environmental factors, a combination of other methods, and surface modification of electrospinning on the properties of composite nanofibers. Meanwhile, the effects of different collection devices and electrospinning preparation parameters on material properties were compared. Subsequently, it summarized the material structure design and specific applications in wearable device power supply, energy collection, environmental pollutant sensing, air quality detection, air pollution particle filtration, and environmental pollutant degradation. We aim to review the latest developments in electrospinning applications to inspire new energy collection, detection, and pollutant treatment equipment, and achieve the commercial promotion of polymer fibers in the fields of energy and environment. Finally, we have identified some unresolved issues in the detection and treatment of environmental issues with electrospun polymer fibers and proposed some suggestions and new ideas for these issues.

The Challenges and Opportunities for TiO2 Nanostructures in Gas Sensing.

Chemiresistive gas sensors based on metal oxides have been widely applied in industrial monitoring, medical diagnosis, environmental pollutant detection, and food safety. To further enhance the gas sensing performance, researchers have worked to modify the structure and function of the material so that it can adapt to different gas types and environmental conditions. Among the numerous gas-sensitive materials, n-type TiO2 semiconductors are a focus of attention for their high stability, excellent biosafety, controllable carrier concentration, and low manufacturing cost. This Perspective first introduces the sensing mechanism of TiO2 nanostructures and composite TiO2-based nanomaterials and then analyzes the relationship between their gas-sensitive properties and their structure and composition, focusing also on technical issues such as doping, heterojunctions, and functional applications. The applications and challenges of TiO2-based nanostructured gas sensors in food safety, medical diagnosis, environmental detection, and other fields are also summarized in detail. Finally, in the context of their practical application challenges, future development technologies and new sensing concepts are explored, providing new ideas and directions for the development of multifunctional intelligent gas sensors in various application fields.

A novel biomonitoring method to detect pyrethroid metabolites in saliva of occupationally exposed workers as a tool for risk assessment

Saliva is valuable in exposure assessment having been successfully used for drug and environmental pollutant detection, providing a surrogate measure of plasma concentrations. Pyrethroid biomarkers have not previously been assessed in saliva, although are prime candidates for saliva detection. This study’s objectives were to (1) develop a liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) method to quantify six pyrethroid metabolites using gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry and (2) assess its application for an occupationally exposed population. Several solvents and mixing protocols were optimized for metabolite recovery. The optimized method was applied to a population of pest control operators (PCOs) and compared against a urine sample before and after a full workday using pesticides. A questionnaire collected demographic information, occupational history, and occupational and non-occupational exposure data. LLE recoveries ranged from 85–104% and 72–88% for toluene and dichloromethane using slow mixing, and 49–103% for methyl tert-butyl ether by fast mixing. Urinary 3-Phenoxybenzoic acid (3PBA) was detected in 100% of pre- and post-work urine samples. Three PCOs had increased urinary pyrethroid metabolite levels post-work. Salivary 3PBA was present below detection limit in two of the three PCO’s post-work saliva samples, demonstrating that salivary 3PBA could be measured in PCOs after the workday. This study presents preliminary findings of a potential, low-risk biomonitoring technique that may be utilized in future occupational pyrethroid exposure and risk assessment research.

Artificial intelligence and IoT driven technologies for environmental pollution monitoring and management

Detecting hazardous substances in the environment is crucial for protecting human wellbeing and ecosystems. As technology continues to advance, artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as a promising tool for creating sensors that can effectively detect and analyze these hazardous substances. The increasing advancements in information technology have led to a growing interest in utilizing this technology for environmental pollution detection. AI-driven sensor systems, AI and Internet of Things (IoT) can be efficiently used for environmental monitoring, such as those for detecting air pollutants, water contaminants, and soil toxins. With the increasing concerns about the detrimental impact of legacy and emerging hazardous substances on ecosystems and human health, it is necessary to develop advanced monitoring systems that can efficiently detect, analyze, and respond to potential risks. Therefore, this review aims to explore recent advancements in using AI, sensors and IOTs for environmental pollution monitoring, taking into account the complexities of predicting and tracking pollution changes due to the dynamic nature of the environment. Integrating machine learning (ML) methods has the potential to revolutionize environmental science, but it also poses challenges. Important considerations include balancing model performance and interpretability, understanding ML model requirements, selecting appropriate models, and addressing concerns related to data sharing. Through examining these issues, this study seeks to highlight the latest trends in leveraging AI and IOT for environmental pollution monitoring.

Differential Fluorescent Chemosensing of Antibiotics Using a Luminescent Zn(II) Coordination Polymer Based on a 4-Amino-1,8-naphthalimide Tröger’s Base Fluorophore

The design and development of useful chemosensors for the ultra-trace detection of environmental pollutants and contaminants is a topical area of research. Herein, we report a new nanoscale emissive Zn(II) coordination polymer (TB-Zn-CP) for differential fluorescence sensing of various antibiotics in water. TB-Zn-CP was synthesized using a unique V-shaped green emitting 4-amino-1,8-naphthalimide Tröger’s base (TBNap) fluorophore. The structural and morphological features of TB-Zn-CP were characterized by various standard spectroscopic and microscopy techniques. The fluorescence titration studies in water demonstrated a remarkable sensitivity and differential fluorescence sensing properties of TB-Zn-CP for the fast detection of different antibiotics. Among different antibiotics, chloramphenicol (CRP), 1,2-dimethyl-5-nitroimidazole (DMZ), and sulfamethazine (SMZ) displayed the highest fluorescence-quenching efficiency and superior sensitivity in their detection. The differential sensing capability of TB-Zn-CP was also indicated by visualizable color changes. The Stern–Volmer quenching constant KSV was determined to be in the order of 103–104 M−1, and the sensitivity was shown to be at a nanomolar (10−9 M) level. All these results confirm that TB-Zn-CP can be a potential and practically useful polymeric sensor for differential fluorescence and visual detection of different antibiotics in water.

Advances in the applications of exposomics in the identification of environmental pollutants and their health hazards

Environmental pollution has become a prominent global problem, and the potential health hazards of pollutants have caused widespread concern. However, revealing the relationship between complex-pollutant exposure and disease development remains an immense challenge. The core of environmental-health research and risk assessment is the identification of contaminants and their effects. Exposomics provides a new approach in the study of the relationship between environmental factors and human health. Both "top-down" and "bottom-up" strategies are employed in exposomics research. The development of new technologies for chemical detection and "multi-omics" has greatly facilitated the implementation of these strategies. Exposomics focuses on the measurement of an individual's lifelong exposure and aims to identify the health effects of such exposure. It involves the dynamic monitoring of external and internal exposure levels at different stages of life through traditional biomonitoring and exposomic methods. It also includes the identification of biomarkers, which indicate specific environmental exposures and the adverse effects of these exposures on health. Compared with traditional environmental-health studies, exposomics can more accurately reflect the diversity of exposure factors such as pollutants, natural factors, and lifestyles in the real environment, as well as the complexity of their in vivo processes and the responses they trigger in an organism. Powerful chemical analytical tools such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) are widely used in studies related to the field of exposomics. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been applied in the detection and analysis of environmental pollutants. Proteomics and metabolomics, as two important tools for biomarker identification and effects analysis, are widely used to explore the relationship between environmental factors and diseases. Pollutants can lead to pathological changes and even toxic effects by interacting with proteins. In the case of mixed exposure, some contaminants may present joint toxicity. The interaction between contaminants may change their environmental behavior or the amount of each contaminant that enters the human body, which, in turn, affects their health effects.

MXene-Enhanced Bi2S3/CdIn2S4 Heterojunction Photosensitive Gate for DEHP Detection in a Signal-On OPECT Aptamer Biosensor.

Organic electrochemical transistors with signal amplification and good stability are expected to play a more important role in the detection of environmental pollutants. However, the bias voltage at the gate may have an effect on the activity of vulnerable biomolecules. In this work, a novel organic photoelectrochemical transistor (OPECT) aptamer biosensor was developed for di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) detection by combining photoelectrochemical analysis with an organic electrochemical transistor, where MXene/Bi2S3/CdIn2S4 was employed as a photoactive material, target-dependent DNA hybridization chain reaction was used as a signal amplification unit, and Ru(NH3)63+ was selected as a signal enhancement molecule. The poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)-based OPECT biosensor modulated by the MXene/Bi2S3/CdIn2S4 photosensitive material achieved a high current gain of nearly a thousand times at zero bias voltage. The developed signal-on OPECT sensing platform realized sensitive and specific detection of DEHP, with a detection range of 1-200 pM and a minimum detection limit of 0.24 pM under optimized experimental conditions, and its application to real water samples was also evaluated with satisfactory results. Hence, the construction of this OPECT biosensing platform not only provides a promising tool for the detection of DEHP but also reveals the great potential of the OPECT application for the detection of other environmental toxins.