Low Detection Limit Research Articles

Spectrophotometric analysis and mechanistic insights investigation of a developed CT complex as colorimetric real-time sensing performance towards Fe2+ in aqueous medium

A newly developed charge transfer complex (CTC) is explored for colorimetric real-time sensing behavior towards the Fe2+ ion, as a highly selective real-time colorimetric chemosensor material. The synthesized and characterized CTC / P1, [(2HP)+(SA)−] is cheap, remarkably distinctive, and simple to manufacture. Beyond the exposure limitations, iron is also the most common cofactor in enzyme reactions, which is, therefore a crucial part of life. However, too much or not enough iron leads to anemia, liver damage, cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease. In this report, unusual sensing capacity has been reported with a relatively low detection limit of 1.247 ppb for Fe2+ ions in aqueous medium, which was lowest at 1.267 ppb in previous reports of CTC sensors. By using a static quenching process, the incredible sensing behavior of this material as a chemosensor was determined. Colorimetric sensing behavior in real-time has also been observed. The complex has been described using a variety of methods, including UV-visible and FTIR spectroscopy. In FTIR spectra, the CTC (P1) showed a change in wavenumber when compared to its reactants. Furthermore, the complex's stoichiometry was measured using UV-visible spectroscopy by taking mixture with an equimolar ratio using the straight-line approach known as the Benesi-Hildebrand equation, which was found to be 1:1. Oscillator strength (f), transition dipole moment (μEN), molar extinction coefficient (εCT), energy of interaction (ECT), and stability constant (KCT) were among the thermodynamic and physical characteristics studied. Van't Hoff's equation was used to compute other parameters such as Gibbs free energy (G°), absorptivity coefficient (ε), Resonance energy (RN), etc. [O+—H……O−] hydrogen bonding was used to depict the interaction between reactants (salicylic acid and 2-hydroxypyridine). The stability of the P1 as a function of temperature is demonstrated through TG/DTA analysis.

Piezoresistive-piezocapacitive hybrid pressure sensor based on synergetic MXene porous conducting and ion trapping effects for operando battery state-of-charge monitoring

Battery pressure evolution provides essential information for battery state diagnosis. However, challenges still exist for achieving suitable pressure sensors to realize precise operando battery pressure monitoring. Herein, we develop a flexible hybrid pressure sensor by sandwiching one ionic piezocapacitive layer between two piezoresistive electrode networks. By taking advantage of the synergistic resistance and capacitance variation effects of the sensor upon compression by the interwoven conductive MXene fibers and the ionic nanofibers with MXene ion trappers, a remarkably improved sensing performance is achieved with a low detection limit of 4 Pa, an excellent durability under both small and ultrahigh pressures for over 20 000 cycles, and high sensitivities over an ultrawide detection range of 0–1 MPa. Meanwhile, the developed sensor is soft and stretchable, ensuring a convenient and conformal attachment to batteries of various shapes without in-plane strain interference. Towards practical application, the hybrid sensor is used to monitor the pressure evolution of lithium-ion battery pouch cells under different constrained pressures, and highly sensitive response is gained, through which the state of charge (SoC) of the battery during normal operation can be precisely estimated. When the battery is slightly overcharged, an instant warning can be made upon the diagnosis of SoC of even a few percentages over 100 %. Its application can be expanded to other areas where high sensitivity across an ultrawide detection range is demanded.

Tracking the distribution of persistent and mobile wastewater-derived substances in the southern and central North Sea using anthropogenic gadolinium from MRI contrast agents as a far-field tracer

The use of the rare earth element gadolinium (Gd) in contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging has led to a significant (micro-)contamination of riverine and coastal environments in many parts of the world. This study comprises a detailed investigation on the rare earth elements and yttrium inventory of the North Sea and also reports data for the major tributaries Thames, Rhine, Ems, Weser and Elbe. We show that large parts of the southern North Sea, including the Wadden Sea UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, are (micro)contaminated with Gd from Gd-based contrast agents (GBCA). Their dispersion reveals their estuarine input and allows to effectively track water masses and currents. The chemical persistence and conservative behavior of GBCA, coupled with the low detection limits of state-of-the-art analytical methods, makes the anthropogenic Gd a sensitive screening proxy for monitoring similarly stable, but potentially hazardous, persistent chemical/pharmaceutical substances in natural waters.

Etched-suppressed gold nanorods providing highly distinctive plasmonic patterns: Towards multiplex analysis of neuroblastoma biomarkers

BackgroundOn-site monitoring of vanillylmandelic acid (VMA), homovanillic acid (HVA), and dopamine (DA) as key diagnostic biomarkers for a wide range of neurological disorders holds utmost significance in clinical settings. Numerous colorimetric sensors with mechanistic approaches based on aggregation or silver metallization have been introduced for this purpose. However, these mechanisms have drawbacks, such as sensitivity to environmental factors and probe toxicity. Therefore, there is a great demand for a robust yet non-toxic colorimetric sensor that employs a novel route to monitor these biomarkers effectively. ResultsHere, we present a single-component multi-colorimetric probe based on the controllable etching suppression of gold nanorods (AuNRs) upon exposure to the mild etchant N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), designed to accurately detect and discriminate VMA, HVA, DA, and their corresponding mixtures, i.e., VMA:HVA, VMA:DA, HVA:DA, and VMA:HVA:DA. To enhance the sensitivity and automation capabilities of the designed multi-colorimetric sensor, two machine learning techniques were employed: linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for the qualitative classification and partial least-squares regression (PLSR) for the quantitative analysis of pure biomarkers and their mixtures. The outcomes revealed a high correlation between measured and predicted values, covering a linear range of 0.8–25, 1.2–25, and 2.7–100 μmol L−1, with remarkably low detection limits of 0.260, 0.397, and 0.913 μmol L−1 for VMA, HVA, and DA, respectively. Lastly, the performance of the probe was validated by successfully detecting the neuroblastoma biomarker VMA:HVA in human urine. SignificanceOur designed multi-colorimetric probe introduces a rapid, cost-effective, user-friendly, non-toxic, and non-invasive approach to detecting and discriminating not only the pure biomarkers but also their corresponding binary and ternary mixtures. The distinctive response profiles produced by the probe in the presence of different mixture ratios can indicate various disease states in patients, which is highly crucial in clinical diagnostics.

Development of Zeolite Imidazole Framework-Based Adsorbent for Effective Microextraction and Preconcentration of Histamine in Food Samples.

This study is the first to focus on the preconcentration and determination of histamine (HIS) in food samples using zeolite imidazole frameworks (ZIFs) on a solid-phase microextraction (SPME) platform. ZIF was developed on a polypropylene hollow fiber (PPHF) substrate (ZIF@PPHF) and characterized. The extraction performance was optimized by adjusting several parameters, including pH, contact time for adsorption, and desorption conditions. Under the optimized conditions, a wide linear dynamic range (0.05-250 mg/L) with high R2 values (0.9989), low limit of detection (0.019 mg/L), and low limit of quantification (0.050 mg/L) were determined as analytical figures of merit. Additionally, a reusability study confirmed that ZIF@PPHF preconcentrated 83% of the HIS up to the fourth cycle. The developed method was used to preconcentrate HIS in fish and cheese samples. The spiked real samples confirmed the validity and accuracy of this method. The percentage mean recoveries ± relative standard deviation (% RSD, n = 3) at the concentration levels of 5, 10, and 50 mg/L of HIS and the sample amount of 5 g for intra- and inter days ranged from 97 ± 1.10 to 102.80 ± 0.90 and from 96.40 ± 1.82 to 103.40 ± 0.79, respectively. The results suggest that the analytical method validation parameters were acceptable, indicating the repeatability and sensitivity of the method.

Cellulose-based fluorescent chemosensor with controllable sensitivity for Fe3+ detection

Polymer-based sensors, particularly those derived from renewable polymers, are gaining attention for their superior properties compared to organic small molecules. However, their complex preparation and poor, uncontrollable sensitivity have hindered further development. Herein, cellulose-based polymer photoluminescence (PL) chemosensors were fabricated using a straightforward and adjustable strategy. Specifically, water-soluble cellulose acetoacetate (CAA) was used as the substance for the in-situ synthesis of 1,4-dihydropyridine (DHPs) fluorescent rings on cellulose chains via a catalyst-free, room-temperature Hantzsch reaction. Benefiting from the synergetic through-space conjugation of DHPs rings and semi-rigid cellulose chains with heteroatoms, the sensors exhibit bright and stable PL properties. Based on this performance, the cellulose-based sensor excels in the specific recognition of Fe3+ in aqueous systems, showing exceptional selectivity, stability, and anti-interference performance due to the synergy between the inner filter effect (IFE) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT). Theoretical calculations confirm the role of the extended π-conjugated structure at the DHPs-4 position in modulating the sensor sensitivity, achieving a low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.48 μM. Furthermore, the versatility of the Hantzsch reaction shows the potential of this strategy for developing a new generation of biomass-based polymer portable sensors for real-time and on-site detection.

An efficient voltammetric sensing platform for trace determination of Norfloxacin based on nanoplate-like α-zirconium phosphate/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposites

Norfloxacin (NOR) residues pose a potential threat to our health and ecosystem, so it is highly urgent to develop a simple but accurate method for NOR determination. Therefore, an efficient voltammetric sensing platform was constructed for trace detection of NOR based on nanoplate-like α-zirconium phosphate/carboxylated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (α-ZrP/CMWCNT). The physiochemical characteristics of α-ZrP/CMWCNT were scrutinized using various microscopic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical means. In order to pursuit higher voltammetric responses, detection conditions of NOR such as accumulation potential, accumulation time and buffer pH, were explored comprehensibly. The α-ZrP/CMWCNT enlarged the electrochemically active surface area and lowered the charge transfer resistance. Owing to the synergistic interactions between nanoplate-like α-ZrP NPs and CMWCNTs, the α-ZrP/CMWCNT boosted the voltammetric response signals and reduced the over-potential of NOR. Consequently, the α-ZrP/CMWCNT demonstrated remarkably catalytic activity for NOR electrooxidation, with two broad linear detection ranges (0.01–0.1 μM; 0.1–10.0 μM) and a low detection limit (2.8 nM). The α-ZrP/CMWCNT modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) exhibited strong anti-interfering ability even in excess of other antibiotics and common metal ions, and maintained robust response peaks up to two weeks. The α-ZrP/CMWCNT/GCE realized accurate determination of NOR from complicated matrices at trace levels with good recoveries (99.00–104.40 %).

A stable and efficient electrochemical sensor for hydroquinone and catechol detection in real-world water samples using mesoporous CaM@rGO nanocomposite

Hydroquinone (HQ) and catechol (CC) are widespread environmental pollutants known for their high toxicity and poor biodegradability. Herein, we devised an electrochemical sensor for sensitive and selective detection of HQ and CC. The glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was meticulously modified by using the Ca-perovskite (CaTiO3/GCE), zinc-based metal-organic frameworks (Zn-MOF/GCE), and their nanocomposite with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), i.e., CaTiO3-Zn-MoF@rGO/GCE (CaM@rGO/GCE). The CaM@rGO/GCE sensor showed stupendous electrochemical performance due to the synergistic effects of rGO's high conductivity and Ca-perovskite's electrocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the Zn-MOF component ensures the sensor's remarkable stability. The developed sensor boasts impressive selectivity towards HQ and CC, achieving exceptionally low detection limits (0.0086 µM (S/N = 3) for HQ, 0.0115 µM (S/N = 3) for CC), and broad linear ranges (0.05–105 µM for HQ, 0.05–120 µM for CC). The sensor shows better sensitivity to hydroquinone (HQ) than catechol (CC) due to the absence of intramolecular hydrogen bonding in HQ. The sensor's real-world applicability was validated by analyzing environmental water samples, demonstrating its immense potential for practical environmental monitoring.

Dynamic monitoring of SO2 changes during ferroptosis using a light-controlled lipid droplets-targeting probe

During the process of ferroptosis, the generation of toxic lipid peroxides triggers severe inflammatory responses. Despite sulfur dioxide (SO2) being recognized as an important signal molecule and antioxidant, its specific physiological mechanism in ferroptosis remains unclear. Here, we developed a novel probe, SP-TB, tailored for detecting SO2 within lipid droplets (LDs). SP-TB features a triphenylamine moiety for LD targeting, coupled with a spiropyran serving as both the SO2 reaction site and a light-responsive switch. Under normal conditions, SP-TB exhibits yellow fluorescence at 570 nm with its SO2 reaction site closed. Upon UV light activation, the spiropyran moiety undergoes isomerization to the merocyanine form (MC-TB), resulting in red fluorescence emission at 634 nm. During this photoisomerization, the exposed CC-CN+ fragment enables specific Michael addition reactions with SO2, quenching the red fluorescence of MC-TB and enhancing yellow fluorescence. The probe exhibits stable photoreversibility and excellent LDs targeting, along with remarkable SO2 selectivity with a low detection limit of 3.5 μM. Notably, the controllability of the SO2 reaction site minimizes false positives. This probe was successfully used to monitor the changes of SO2 concentrations in LDs during ferroptosis.

Synthesis of a dual-response signal sensor and naked-eye recognition of hypochlorite in real water samples

An innovative dual-modal colorimetric and fluorometric probe MDXM is synthesized based on the dihydro-1H-xanthene motif via Knoevenagel reaction. The incorporation of a malononitrile group into the dihydro-1H-xanthene motif via a double bond results in an extensive macroconjugated π-system, which endows MDXM with a pronounced molar absorptivity and effectively quenches the intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) effect. Upon exposure to hypochlorite, the C = C bond in MDXM undergoes cleavage, resulting in the formation of an aldehyde group. This process restores the ICT effect and manifests as a clear fluorescent ''turn-on'' signal at 530 nm, with a remarkably linear response across the ClO− concentration range of 0–60 μM. The probe achieves a notably low detection limit of 7.14 nM, reflecting its exceptional sensitivity. In the presence of 15 common metal ions and oxidizing agents, MDXM can specifically identify hypochlorite with excellent anti-interference ability. The response mechanism of MDXM to hypochlorite was confirmed through Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and computational Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. The practical applicability of MDXM is underscored by its successful implementation in analyzing hypochlorite in 5 varied real water samples. This showcases MDXM's promise for environmental and analytical chemistry, providing a robust tool for hypochlorite detection in diverse settings.

Layer-by-layer fabrication of covalent organic frameworks on stainless steel needles as solid-phase microextraction probe coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry for enrichment and determination of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in biosamples

Sunitinib, N-desmethyl imatinib, dasatinib, imatinib, and bosutinib are tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) that are commonly employed in the treatment of a multitude of cancers. However, the inappropriate concentrations of TKIs can result in ineffective treatment or the emergence of multiple adverse effects. Consequently, the development of a rapid and sensitive analytical method for TKIs is of paramount importance for the safe administration of drugs. In this work, solid-phase microextraction (SPME) probe combined with an electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) coupling platform was constructed for rapid and sensitive determination of TKIs. The covalent organic frameworks (COFs) coated SPME probe was made of 2,4,6-tris(4-aminophenyl)-1,3,5-triazine (TAPT) and 2,5-dibutoxyterephthalaldehyde (DBTA) by in-situ layer-by-layer chemical bonding synthesis strategy. The TAPT-DBTA-SPME probe exhibited several advantageous properties which rendered it suitable for the enrichment of TKIs. Under the optimal conditions, the developed analytical method demonstrated a broad linear range (0.05–500.00 µg/L), a low limit of detection (0.02 µg/L) and a high enrichment factor (51–203) for TKIs. The developed analytical method was successfully applied to a pharmacokinetic study of TKIs in mouse plasma and tissue matrix, demonstrating that the proposed analytical method has promise for clinical applications and metabolic monitoring.

SERS aptasensor for simultaneous detection of ochratoxin A and zearalenone utilizing a rigid enhanced substrate (ITO/AuNPs/GO) combined with Au@AgNPs

The contamination of mycotoxins poses a serious threat to global food security, hence the urgent need for simultaneous detection of multiple mycotoxins. Herein, two SERS nanoprobes were synthesized by embedded SERS tags (4-mercaptopyridine, 4MPy; 4-mercaptobenzonitrile, TBN) into the Au and Ag core–shell structure, and each was coupled with the aptamers specific to ochratoxin A (OTA) and zearalenone (ZEN). Meanwhile, a rigid enhanced substrate Indium tin oxide glass/AuNPs/Graphene oxide (ITO/AuNPs/GO) was combined with aptamer functionalized Au@AgNPs via π-π stacking interactions between the aptamer and GO to construct a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) aptasensor, thereby inducing a SERS enhancement effect for the effective and swift simultaneous detection of both OTA and ZEN. The presence of OTA and ZEN caused signal probes dissociation, resulting in an inverse correlation between Raman signal intensity (1005 cm−1 and 2227 cm−1) and the concentrations of OTA and ZEN, respectively. The SERS aptasensor exhibited wide linear detection ranges of 0.001–20 ng/mL for OTA and 0.1–100 ng/mL for ZEN, with low detection limits (LOD) of 0.94 pg/mL for OTA and 59 pg/mL for ZEN. Furthermore, the developed SERS aptasensor demonstrated feasible applicability in the detection of OTA and ZEN in maize, showcasing its substantial potential for practical implementation.

Construction and application of bifunctional AIE fluorescent probe for the detection of Cys and viscosity

A bifunctional fluorescent probe, A-1, was designed and synthesized for the recognition of Cys and viscosity. In the high-viscosity system, the intramolecular rotation of A-1 is restricted, which activates its near-infrared fluorescence. Simultaneously, the probe specifically detects Cys using acrylate as the recognition site. It possesses advantages such as high sensitivity, low detection limit, large Stokes shift (140 nm), high selectivity, and anti-interference properties. In addition, the probe A-1 can target mitochondria before recognition, and aggregate in lipid droplets after reacting with Cys. Based on the above excellent properties, it has been used to monitor changes in Cys and viscosity levels in living cells. And for the first time, it has revealed fluctuations in Cys and viscosity levels in the apoptosis model induced by Cisplatin. This provides a powerful tool for an in-depth study of related disease mechanisms.

Preparation of a multiple interacting magnetic fluid for rapid and sensitive simultaneous extraction of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolites in biological samples

Backgroundβ-nicotinamide mononucleotide stands out as an essential breakthrough in “anti-aging” and consistently leads the list of top-selling nutritional supplements in terms of quantity. As the metabolites of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide, the detection of nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide is of great significance for evaluating the nutritional effect of dietary supplements of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide. However, due to the extremely low concentration of nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in vivo and the serious matrix interference in biological samples, there is an increasing demand for materials and methods of pre-treatment. ResultsIn this study, Fe3O4@hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose@dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid magnetic fluid was synthesized for the first time, and it was used as pretreatment material to detect nicotinamide and N1- methylnicotinamide in urine samples by high performance liquid chromatography. Compared with other adsorption materials, Fe3O4@hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose@dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid nanoparticles are a kind of uniform magnetic fluid. Furthermore, they have more types and quantities of interaction sites (electrostatic interactions, hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding interactions, and π-π interactions), so they own greater adsorption capacity. When the pH of the solution is 4, they can be adsorbed quickly within 10 s. The method successfully detected trace nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in urine samples in the linear range of 0.1–80 μg mL−1, the low detection limits were 0.30 ng mL−1 and 1.5 ng mL−1 respectively, and the quantification limits were 1.0 ng mL−1 and 5.0 ng mL−1, respectively. At the same time, the standard urine samples of nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide showed satisfactory recovery rate 94.50–109.1 %. The results indicated that the established method can accurately and quantitatively determine trace nicotinamide and N1-methylnicotinamide in urine samples. SignificanceConsequently, low concentration of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolites can be detected simultaneously, and the interference can be eliminated during the detection process, which provides an efficient and convenient pretreatment method and a rapid and sensitive detection method for the analysis of β-nicotinamide mononucleotide metabolites. What's more, it has a wide application prospect in the analysis of other similar metabolites in biological samples.

Development of a novel isophorone-derived near-infrared fluorescent probe for specific and visual detection of Pb2+: Theoretical, practical and bioimaging investigations

The development of specific and visually detectable fluorophores for the accurate and rapid Pb2+ recognization is crucial. In this study, we introduced a novel isophorone-derived fluorescent probe, (E)-2-(3-(3-formyl-4-hydroxystyryl)-5,5-dimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-ylidene)malononitrile (YSQ), rationally designed for prompt and high-quality Pb2+ detection. YSQ demonstrated noticeable red emitting fluorescence enhancement upon Pb2+ interactions (upon binding, τavg 16.7 ns, Φ 12 %) with visible color changes discernible to the naked eye in MeOH/H2O (v/v 9/1, pH 7.4, 0.2 mM). The probe YSQ achieved a quite low detection limit (LOD) of 18 nM and a high association constant of 2.93 × 105 M−1 towards Pb2+ using fluorescence titration. We proposed a binding mechanism of YSQ with Pb2+ ions, supported by the density functional theory (DFT/TD-DFT), 1H NMR titration experiments, IR and HRMS analysis. In addition, a simple and affordable smartphone-supported specific Pb2+ detection technique was developed with visible color changes. Furthermore, this NIR emissive properties of YSQ offered broad potential applications in actual water sample and solid analysis, bio-imaging and test strips.

Synthesis of porous SnO2@Fe2O3 core-shell triple-shelled boxes with selective and rapid response towards HCHO

Heterogenous SnO2@Fe2O3 core-shell triple-layer boxes (TBs) are successfully prepared through using a combination of room-temperature hydrolyzation and annealing treatment on SnO2 double-layer boxes (DBs). The crystallinity, morphology, and microstructure of as-prepared SnO2@Fe2O3 TBs are detailedly characterized. Compared with those of referenced pristine SnO2 or Fe2O3 nanostructures, the overall cubic configuration of heterogeneous SnO2@Fe2O3 with hollow interiors retains largely unaltered. Meanwhile, sensor based on SnO2@Fe2O3 samples synthesized with Fe2O3/SnO2 mole ratio of 1 exhibit superior response, excellent selectivity, shortened response-recovery time, and good long-time stability for formaldehyde (HCHO). It has the highest response (11.72) with the response/recovery time of 4 s/19 s to 50 ppm HCHO, respectively, and a low detection limit (1.07 to 200 ppb) for targeted HCHO under the optimal operating temperature (220 °C). The high absorption ability based on unique structural merits of hierarchically SnO2/Fe2O3 subunit-assembled porous multilayers and synergistic effect of SnO2/Fe2O3 heterojunction may contribute to their excellent HCHO sensing performance.

Highly sensitive disposable test strips for sweat chloride detection using silver nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide

The quantification of chloride ions in sweat by a point-of-care test system is a useful strategy in the early screening of cystic fibrosis. In this context, silver nanoparticles decorated reduced graphene oxide were synthesized by one-pot reduction method in this work. This reaction in situ produces silver nanoparticles spread across thin sheets of rGO with high surface area. This helps in the electrochemical detection of chloride ions by conversion of silver to silver chloride and formation of a thin layer of silver chloride on the surface of nanocomposite. The validity of this strategy has been demonstrated by voltammetric analysis of chloride ions using the screen-printed Ag-rGO nanocomposite. For electrodes tested in buffer, the sensitivity was 37.66 ± 0.99 mA (log mM)−1 cm−2 with a high selectivity and detection range from 30 to 400 mM chloride concentration. The lower detection limit is 1.02 mM (S/N = 3), and the relative standard deviation (RSD) of sensor response is 4.77 %. Disposable sensor test strips fabricated with screen printing of the catalyst followed by layer by layer array of electrolyte and hydrophilic membrane shows a sensitivity of 165.2 ± 4.3 µA mM−1 cm−2, a linear detection range upto 210 mM, and a LOD of 2.46 ± 0.06 µM. The quantification of the developed sensor strips were confirmed by comparing the values from clinical laboratories. This finding confirms the potentiality of the developed method and its possible application in the rapid and easy-to-use point-of-care devices. Notable advantages of the Ag-rGO nanocomposite is its reversibility due to the regeneration of fresh silver nanoparticles on the rGO surface and increased electrochemical response. This feature realizes a high stability even at multiple trials with a RSD of 2.63 % and long-time storage tested upto 3 months. Using this superior performance, the developed sensor test strip demonstrates a disposable, non-invasive, reproducible, reversible, highly selective, and sensitive monitoring of chloride ions.

Highly sensitive volatile organic compounds monitoring enabling by silver-nanowire@metal–organic frameworks core-shell heterostructure

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) hold great promise as advanced chemical sensing materials due to their high surface area and tunable surface chemistry. However, due to the inherent conductivity, building a highly sensitive MOFs-based gas sensor for real-time monitoring hazardous gas operated at room temperature (RT) is still a huge challenge. Herein, an in-situ anchoring strategy is proposed to construct a 1D-0D core-shell heterostructure by integrating silver nanowires (AgNWs) with highly conductivity and Zn-MOF with high specific surface area. The incorporation of AgNWs establishes a highly conductive network architecture to facilitate rapid charge transport while preventing the Zn-MOF nanoparticles from agglomeration, ensuring an effective transmission highway for target gas molecules. Meanwhile, the Zn-MOF nanoparticles induce remarkable absorption capacity and contribute high gas response. By strategically amalgamating the inherent distinctive virtues of the individual components and capitalizing on the synergistic benefits arising from the composite, the sensors hinged upon the refined AgNWs@Zn-MOF (A@Z) heterostructure unveiled remarkable response value of 27 to 20 ppm ethanol at RT, accompanied by a low detection limit of 1 ppm. Moreover, the A@Z sensor further showcases superior selectivity and repeatability. This work offers a fresh standpoint for the fabrication of MOF-based heterostructures, fostering advancements in diverse applications.

A long-wavelength fluorescent probe based on carbazole with AIE characteristics for the detection of ONOO− and its application

Peroxynitrite (ONOO−) is an important reactive oxygen species, and excess ONOO− in the body can lead to a range of diseases. Addressing the need for sensitive detection ONOO−, in this work, a highly sensitivity and selectivity long-wavelength fluorescent probe (named CIS) was designed for tracking ONOO− in biological cells. Probe CIS featured carbazole as the fluorophore and the CC double bond with two electron withdrawing –CN groups as the recognition site. The probe CIS exhibited the typical aggregation-induced emission (AIE) and intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) characteristics with the bright red fluorescent emission in high water fraction (fw ≥ 50 %) and negligible emission in low water fraction. The fluorescence emission wavelength of probe CIS is 631 nm, with a large Stokes shift (151 nm), which can sensitively detect ONOO− in DMSO: H2O (7:3, v/v) environment. Notably, the probe CIS exhibited a wide pH detection range (pH = 3–10), a low detection limit of 36.66 nM, high selectivity and minimal interference. Furthermore, probe CIS demonstrated excellent biocompatibility and low cytotoxicity, and can be used for the detection of exogenous ONOO− in 4T1 cells (Mouse breast cancer cells). These research results indicate that probe CIS has potential application prospects in the biological aspects.

Cubic structured zinc ferrite methodically incorporated into porous graphene sheets as a selective Electrocatalyst for electrochemical detection of Carbendazim

Carbendazim (CBZ) insecticides have been widely employed, raising serious concerns about their impacts on human health and the environment. A facile hydrothermal technique was used to prepare a zinc ferrite (ZnFe₂O₄) combined with porous graphene oxide (PGO) as a nanocomposite for selective CBZ detection. The ZnFe₂O₄/PGO nanocomposite was then used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), an affordable platform for CBZ detection. Various spectroscopic techniques were employed to confirm the nanomaterial. The electrochemical properties were further investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The ZnFe₂O₄/PGO nanocomposite modified the glassy carbon electrode surface for CBZ detection. A broad linear response range of 0.0039 to 200 μM, high sensitivity (2.184 μAμM−1 cm−2), a low detection limit of 0.0013 μM, outstanding stability, repeatability, and practical applicability are the intriguing qualities of the ZnFe₂O₄/PGO-modified electrode for CBZ detection.