Recent progress on the modifications of ultra-small perovskite nanomaterials for sensing applications

Nanoconfined Synthesis of CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots: Enhanced Stability, Tunable Luminescence, and Sensitive Sensing Application

The integration of metal halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) into sensing technologies has been hindered by challenges in balancing environmental stability and sensing sensitivity. In this work, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) with tunable pore sizes were employed as nanoconfinement reactors to synthesize size-controlled CsPbBr3 PQDs (3.0-12.0 nm). The nanoconfined environment facilitated the selective growth of pure CsPbBr3 phases, avoiding unwanted Cs4PbBr6 formation. The resulting nanoconfined PQDs, CsPbBr3@MSN, exhibited tunable emission from blue to green (470 to 515 nm), a high quantum yield (36.8%), and enhanced stability. Moreover, the PQD composites demonstrated exceptional performance in detecting the pesticide dicloran, achieving a detection limit of 0.16 μM, far below China's national standard requirement (34.0 μM). The detection mechanism involved competitive adsorption and phase transitions from the cubic CsPbBr3 phase to the quasi-2D CsPb2Br5 phase. The porous MSN structure maintained efficient mass and energy transfer, ensuring both stability and sensitivity. Beyond sensing, these nanocomposites show potential for applications in anticounterfeiting and fingerprint recognition. This study highlights nanoconfinement as a powerful strategy for developing robust, high-performance PQD-based fluorescent sensors.

PET-based aqueous-stable two-phase perovskite nanoprobe for quantification of capsaicin in food samples

We introduce an innovative two-phase-perovskite-based sensing platform for the ultrasensitive detection of capsaicin via a photo-induced electron transfer mechanism, with a limit of detection as low as 0.21 nM. Importantly, the successful use of this probe for monitoring capsaicin in real samples suggests its potential for use in the food sector.

Synthesis of trypsin-protected CsPbCl3 fluorescent nanocrystals for hydroxyl radical sensing

Water-dispersible perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) show promising applications in recognizing ionic and molecular species because of their excellent optical properties. However, lead halide PNCs have some limitations when they are used as probes for molecular species sensing in aqueous media. Here, we introduce trypsin (Try) as a bioligand for the synthesis of cesium lead chloride (CsPbCl3) PNCs with high water stability. The as-fabricated Try-CsPbCl3 PNCs show λEm/Ex at 433/370 nm with a quantum yield of 17.26%. The fluorescence emission spectral characteristics of Try-CsPbCl3 PNCs demonstrated that water-stable Try-CsPbCl3 PNCs acted as a promising fluorescent probe for the detection of hydroxyl radical (•OH) via turn-off mechanism. The Try-CsPbCl3 PNCs-based turn-off fluorescence approach displayed good selectivity for hydroxyl radical in water, showing a wider linear range (0.01-5 µM) with a remarkable detection limit of 3.10 nM for hydroxyl radical. The Try-CsPbCl3 PNCs were demonstrated to be a facile probe for sensing •OH in water samples, which signifies that Try-CsPbCl3 PNCs exhibited broad applications for hydroxyl radical sensing in real samples.

Fluorescence turn-off detection of myoglobin as a cardiac biomarker using water-stable L-glutamic acid functionalized cesium lead bromide perovskite quantum dots

Water dispersible L-glutamic acid (Glu) functionalized cesium lead bromide perovskite quantum dots (CsPbBr3 PQDs), namely CsPbBr3@Glu PQDs were synthesized and used for the fluorescence "turn-off" detection of myoglobin (Myo). The as-prepared CsPbBr3@Glu PQDs exhibited an exceptional photoluminescence quantum yield of 25% and displayed emission peak at 520 nm when excited at 380 nm. Interestingly, the fluorescence "turn-off" analytical approach was designed to detect Myo using CsPbBr3@Glu PQDs as a simple optical probe. The developed probe exhibited a wide linear range (0.1-25 µM) and a detection limit of 42.42 nM for Myo sensing. The CsPbBr3@Glu PQDs-based optical probe provides high ability to determine Myo in serum and plasma samples.

Mimicking nature to develop halide perovskite semiconductors from proteins and metal carbonates

Halide perovskite (HPs) nanostructures have recently gained extensive worldwide attentions because of their remarkable optoelectronic properties and fast developments. However, intrinsic instability against environmental factors-i.e., temperature, humidity, illumination, and oxygen-restricted their real-life applications. HPs are typically synthesized as colloids by employing organic solvents and ligands. Consequently, the precise control and tuning of complex 3D perovskite morphologies are challenging and have hardly been achieved by conventional fabrication methods. Here, we combine the benefits of self-assembly of biomolecules and an ion exchange reaction (IER) approach to customize HPs spatial shapes and composition. Initially, we apply a biomineralization approach, using biological templates (such as biopolymers, proteins, or protein assemblies), modulating the morphology of MCO3 (M = Ca2+, Ba2+) nano/microstructures. We then show that the morphology of the materials can be maintained throughout an IER process to form surface HPs with a wide variety of morphologies. The fabricated core-shell structures of metal carbonates and HPs introduce nano/microcomposites that can be sculpted into a wide diversity of 3D architectures suitable for various potential applications such as sensors, detectors, catalysis, etc. As a prototype, we fabricate disposable humidity sensors with an 11-95% detection range by casting the formed bio-templated nano/micro-composites on paper substrate.

Defect Engineering Strategy for Superior Integration of Metal-Organic Framework and Halide Perovskite as a Fluorescence Sensing Material

Combining halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) material is challenging when the QDs' size is larger than the MOFs' nanopores. Here, we adopted a simple defect engineering approach to increase the size of zeolitic imidazolate framework 90 (ZIF-90)'s pores size to better load CH3NH3PbBr3 perovskite QDs. This defect structure effect can be easily achieved by adjusting the metal-to-ligand ratio throughout the ZIF-90 synthesis process. The QDs are then grown in the defective structure, resulting in a hybrid ZIF-90-perovskite (ZP) composite. The QDs in ZP composites occupied the gap of 10-18 nm defective ZIF-90 crystal and interestingly isolated the QDs with high stability in aqueous solution. We also investigated the relationship between defect engineering and fluorescence sensing, finding that the aqueous Cu2+ ion concentration was directly correlated to defective ZIF-90 and ZP composites. We also found that the role of the O-Cu coordination bonds and CH3NHCu+ species formation in the materials when they reacted with Cu2+ was responsible for this relationship. Finally, this strategy was successful in developing Cu2+ ion fluorescence sensing in water with better selectivity and sensitivity.

Sensing Utilities of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskites and Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Recently, the utilization of metal halide perovskites in sensing and their application in environmental studies have reached a new height. Among the different metal halide perovskites, cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbX3; X = Cl, Br, and I) and composites have attracted great interest in sensing applications owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Most CsPbX3 nanostructures and composites possess great structural stability, luminescence, and electrical properties for developing distinct optical and photonic devices. When exposed to light, heat, and water, CsPbX3 and composites can display stable sensing utilities. Many CsPbX3 and composites have been reported as probes in the detection of diverse analytes, such as metal ions, anions, important chemical species, humidity, temperature, radiation photodetection, and so forth. So far, the sensing studies of metal halide perovskites covering all metallic and organic-inorganic perovskites have already been reviewed in many studies. Nevertheless, a detailed review of the sensing utilities of CsPbX3 and composites could be helpful for researchers who are looking for innovative designs using these nanomaterials. Herein, we deliver a thorough review of the sensing utilities of CsPbX3 and composites, in the quantitation of metal ions, anions, chemicals, explosives, bioanalytes, pesticides, fungicides, cellular imaging, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic gases, humidity, temperature, radiation, and photodetection. Furthermore, this review also covers the synthetic pathways, design requirements, advantages, limitations, and future directions for this material.

Water-ultrastable perovskite CsPbBr3 nanocrystals tailored by surface-confined strategy for amaranth sensing in food samples

A vital challenge is to develop water-stable perovskite nanocrystals owing to the easy attack of its surface vacancy defects by water-molecule. Here, a facile surface-passivated strategy to dramatically improve the chem-stability and luminescent efficiency (LE) of the CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (CPB) is proposed, where sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) encapsulate on CPB, generating confined environment (named SDS@CPB). The flexible long carbon-chain of SDS can confine the movement of CPB to form an externally hydrophobic closed-shell and internally structural rigidity through the hydrophobic association between surface hydrophobic groups, improving the LE and maintaining long-term composition of CPB. While the sulfate group in SDS can reduce the surface-defects exposure of CPB through the coordination with Pb2+, inhibiting the invasion of water-molecule. Importantly, an SDS@CPB-based sensor was fabricated to detect amaranth in food samples with a lower detection limit (5.43 nM), which opens a new avenue for food sensing based on high-efficiency perovskite nanocrystals.

Trinity Strategy: Enabling Perovskite as Hydrophilic and Efficient Fluorescent Nanozyme for Constructing Biomarker Reporting Platform

Water instability and sensing homogeneity are the Achilles' heel of CsPbX3 NPs in biological fluids application. This work reports the preparation of Mn2+:CsPbCl3@SiO2 yolk-shell nanoparticles (YSNPs) in aqueous solutions created through the integration of ligand, surface, and crystal engineering strategies. The SN2 reaction between 4-chlorobutyric acid (CBA) and oleylamine (OAm) yields a zwitterionic ligand that facilitates the dispersion of YSNPs in water, while the robust SiO2 shell enhances their overall stability. Besides, Mn2+ doping in YSNPs not only introduces a second emission center but also enables potential postsynthetic designability, leading to the switching from YSNPs to MnO2@YSNPs with excellent oxidase (OXD)-like activity. Theoretical calculations reveal that electron transfer from CsPbCl3 to in situ MnO2 and the adsorption-desorption process of 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) synergistically amplify the OXD-like activity. In the presence of ascorbic acid (AA), Mn4+ in MnO2@YSNPs (fluorescent nanozyme) is reduced to Mn2+ and dissociated, thereby inhibiting the OXD-like activity and triggering fluorescence "turn-on/off", i.e., dual-mode recognition. Finally, a biomarker reporting platform based on MnO2@YSNPs fluorescent nanozyme is constructed with AA as the reporter molecule, and the accurate detection of human serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is realized, demonstrating the vast potential of perovskites in biosensing.

Cationic and anionic cross-assisted synergistic photocatalytic removal of binary organic dye mixture using Ni-doped perovskite oxide

Organic dyes present in industrial wastewater are the major contributor to water pollution, which harm human health and the environment. Photocatalytic dye degradation is an effective strategy for water remediation by converting these organic dyes waste into non-harmful by-products. Therefore, in this study, Ni-doped LaFeO3 (NLFO) perovskite nanoparticles were extensively explored for photocatalytic degradation of cationic and anionic dyes and their mixture. The NLFO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by surfactant assisted hydrothermal method under controlled Ni doping. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) revealed the variation in size (40-70 nm) of orthorhombic crystalline LFO nanoparticles with Ni doping and hence the size of microspheres (0.78. to 1.78 μm). The kinetic studies revealed that the LaFe0·6Ni0·4O3 performed well by providing degradation efficiency of 99.2% in 210 min, 99.1% in 100 min, and 98.4% in 70 min for Crystal Violet (CV), Congo Red (CR), and their mixture with rate constant of 0.019, 0.039, and 0.055 min-1 respectively. The radical scavenger tests indicated the synergetic contributions of O2- and •OH- active radicals in faster degradation of CV and CR dye mixture. The stepwise fragmentation of dye molecule during the photocatalytic degradation identified from the LCMS indicates the degradation of CV dye through de-alkylation and benzene ring breaking, whereas azo bond cleavage and oxidation lead to low molecular weight intermediates for CR dye, which all together helped to degrade their dye mixture (50 mg L-1 and 100 mg L-1) in significantly lesser time (70 min). Overall, the Ni-doped LFO microsphere consisting of nanoparticles acts as a superior catalyst for the more efficient and faster degradation of binary dye mixture.

BSA-assisted ultrasound synthesis of water stable CsPbBr3 nanocrystals for sensitive fluorescent detection of hydrogen sulfide in human serum

A bovine serum albumin (BSA)-assisted ultrasonication strategy was developed for the synthesis of CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals (NCs) with stable fluorescence properties in aqueous solution. Such a preparation method is simple, fast and does not require complex equipment. The results show that the synthesized CsPbBr₃ NCs are homogeneous in particle size and have good solubility and stability in water. The CsPbBr₃ NCs have been utilized as fluorescence probe for rapid detection of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) in human serum. The reaction of H₂S with the lead sites on the surface of CsPbBr₃ NCs produces lead sulfide (PbS), resulting in the decrease of fluorometric intensity of CsPbBr₃ NCs. Our designed fluorescent assay has a linear S^2- detecting range of 10 ~ 800 nM with a detection limit of 7.05 nM. The assay was used to determine H₂S in human serum with spiked recoveries ranging from 94.98% to 102.69%. This work opens new avenues for the application of halide lead perovskite in different biosensing areas.

Perspectives of different colour-emissive nanomaterials in fluorescent ink, LEDs, cell imaging, and sensing of various analytes

In the past 2 decades, multicolour light-emissive nanomaterials have gained significant interest in chemical and biological sciences because of their unique optical properties. These materials have drawn much attention due to their unique characteristics towards various application fields. The development of novel nanomaterials has become the pinpoint for different application areas. In this review, the recent progress in the area of multicolour-emissive nanomaterials is summarized. The different emissions (white, orange, green, red, blue, and multicolour) of nanostructure materials (metal nanoclusters, quantum dots, carbon dots, and rare earth-based nanomaterials) are briefly discussed. The potential applications of different colour-emissive nanomaterials in the development of fluorescent inks, light-emitting diodes, cell imaging, and sensing devices are briefly summarized. Finally, the future perspectives of multicolour-emissive nanomaterials are discussed.

Preparation of CH3NH3PbBr3 Perovskites Encapsulated in ZIF-8 with Improved Stability and Their Application in Fluorimetry and Information Encryption

Metal halide perovskites (MHPs) have been promising functional materials for developing solar cells, lasers, photodetectors, and sensors due to their outstanding optical and electrical characteristics. However, they suffer from very poor stability for their high sensitivity to some environmental factors such as temperature, UV irradiation, pH, and polar solvent, which limits their extensive practical applications. Herein, a derived metal organic framework material, Pb-ZIF-8, was prepared as a precursor via a doping protocol. Then, CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ perovskites encapsulated in ZIF-8 (CH₃NH₃PbBr₃@ZIF-8) with green fluorescent (FL) emission were synthesized via a facile in situ protocol by using the derived metal organic frameworks material as a source of Pb element. With the protection of encapsulated ZIF-8, the perovskites material shows good FL properties under various harsh environmental conditions, which facilitates facile application in various fields. To verify the practical application potential of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃@ZIF-8, we utilized them as FL probes to establish a highly sensitive method for detecting glutathione. Furthermore, the rapid conversion process from non-FL Pb-ZIF-8 to FL CH₃NH₃PbBr₃@ZIF-8 was utilized to realize encryption and decryption of confidential information. This work opens an avenue to the development of perovskites-based devices with greatly improved stability in harsh external environments.

Recent advances in metal-based nanoporous materials for sensing environmentally-related biomolecules

Highly sensitive, stable, selective, efficient, and short reaction time sensors play a substantial role in daily life/industry and are the need of the day. Due to the rising environmental issues, nanoporous carbon and metal-based materials have attracted significant attention in environmental analysis owing to their intriguing and multifunctional properties and cost-effective and rapid detection of different analytes by sensing applications. Environmental-related issues such as pollution have been a significant threat to the world. Therefore, it is necessary to fabricate highly promising performance-based sensor materials with excellent reliability, selectivity and good sensitivity for monitoring various analytes. In this regard, different methods have been employed to fabricate these sensors comprising metal, metal oxides, metal oxide carbon composites and MOFs leading to the formation of nanoporous metal and carbon composites. These composites have exceptional properties such as large surface area, distinctive porosity, and high conductivity, making them promising candidates for several versatile sensing applications. This review covers recent advances and significant studies in the sensing field of various nanoporous metal and carbon composites. Key challenges and future opportunities in this exciting field are also part of this review.

Optical humidity sensors based on lead-free Cu-based perovskite nanomaterials

Organometallic halide perovskite materials possess unique and tunable optical properties with a wide range of optoelectronic applications. However, these materials suffer from humidity-driven degradation in ambient atmospheres. In this paper we investigate stable copper-based perovskite nanocrystals for potential use in humidity sensors, specifically examining their unique humidity-dependent optical properties and reversibility. We controlled stoichiometric ratios of Cu-based perovskites and demonstrated that (methylammonium)2CuBr4 nanocrystals showed excellent reversible physisorption of water molecules. These perovskite nanocrystals exhibited reversible hydro-optical properties, including transparency changes in response to variations in relative humidity under ambient conditions. The perovskite nanomaterial humidity sensor was highly reliable and stable, with a linear correlation in a relative humidity range of 7% to 98%. Accordingly, the lead-free Cu-based perovskite materials developed herein have the potential to be employed as real-time, self-consistent humidity sensors.

Folic acid functionalized molybdenum oxide quantum dots for the detection of Cu2+ ion and alkaline phosphatase via fluorescence turn off-on mechanism

The assay of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) plays a key role in the diagnosis of various diseases. Herein, folic acid functionalized molybdenum oxide quantum dots (FA-MoO_x QDs) are explored as fluorescence "turn- off and on" probes for assaying of Cu²⁺ ion and ALP, respectively. This fluorescence sensing strategy was based on the quenching of emission peak of FA-MoO_x QDs at 445 nm by Cu²⁺ ion, followed by restoring of emission peak selectively with ALP. Based on the quenching and restoring of FA-MoO_x QDs emission intensity, quantitative assay was developed for the detection of Cu²⁺ ion (0.20 - 500 µM) and ALP (0.06 - 150 U/L) with detection limits of 29 nM and 0.026 U/L, respectively. The developed FA-MoO_x QDs-based fluorescence "turn- off and on" strategy exhibited satisfactory results for assaying of ALP in biofluids.