Fluorescence sensing of arsenate at nanomolar level in a greener way: naphthalene based probe for living cell imaging

Alendronate-Functionalized Graphene Quantum Dots as an Effective Fluorescent Sensing Platform for Arsenic Ion Detection

Alendronate-functionalized graphene quantum dots (ALEN-GQDs) with a quantum yield of 57% were synthesized via a two-step route: preparation of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) by pyrolysis method using citric acid as the carbon source and post functionalization of GQDs via a hydrothermal method with alendronate sodium. After careful characterization of the obtained ALEN-GQDs, they were successfully employed as sensing materials with superior selectivity and sensitivity for the detection of nanomolar levels of arsenic ions (As(III)). According to the mechanistic investigation, arsenic ions can quench the fluorescence intensity of ALEN-GQDs through metal-ligand interaction between the As(III) ions and the surface functional groups of the fluorescent probe. This probe provided a rapid method to monitor As(III) with a wide detection range (44 nM-1.30 µM) and a low detection limit of 13 nM. Finally, to validate the applicability, this novel fluorescent probe was successfully applied for the quantitative determination of As(III) in rice and water samples.

Fluorescence 'Turn-on' Dual Sensor for Selective Detection of Cd2+ and H2AsO4- in Water

A multi responsive fluorescent probe, N',2-bis(E-4-(diethylamino)-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine-1-carbothiohydrazideV(H₂L) has been synthesized through one step condensation method. Probe, H₂L shows 'turn-on' dual sensing properties towards Cd²⁺ and H₂AsO₄^- at two distinct wavelength. The probe (H₂L) is spectroscopically characterized and the chemo-sensing mechanism has been demonstrated through ¹H NMR, absorption, steady state and time resolved emission study. The most promising advantage of the probe is its application in the one-pot detection of Cd²⁺ (λ_em = 462 nm) and H₂AsO₄^-(λ_em = 492 nm) where intense emission appears at two different wavelengths and the observed limit of detection (LOD) of H₂L towards Cd²⁺ and H₂AsO₄^- are 2.67 × 10^-8 M and 5.14 × 10^-6 M respectively. Further the 'turn-on' emission property of H₂L towards Cd²⁺ is applied to construct INHIBIT logic gate.

ZnAl2O4 Nanomaterial as a Naked-Eye Arsenate Sensor: A Combined Experimental and Computational Mechanistic Approach

Raising public awareness over the emerging health risk due to intake of arsenic-contaminated potable water is a matter of great concern. Exploration of cost-effective, self-testing kits is a substantial way to reach out to the masses and detect the presence of arsenate in water. With this agenda, a photoluminescent Mannich base Zn(II) complex (ZnMC = [Zn₂(ML)₂]·(ClO₄)₂·(H₂O); HML = Mannich base ligand) has been synthesized, and its dinuclearity was verified with single-crystal X-ray diffraction structural analysis. Among a range of anions, ZnMC was found to detect arsenate selectively by showing a turn-off emission with a color change from bright green to dark under UV light. The real-life applicability of the ZnMC probe is somewhat restricted to only sensing of arsenate, but not its removal owing to the fact of its homogeneity. Considering the efficacy of ZnMC as well as a need for its easy removal from water, slight modification has been done with chloride ions in the form of ZnMC″ (=[Zn₂(ML)₂(Cl)₂]), and finally, an interface between homogeneous and heterogeneous solid support has been explored with a strategic fabrication of ZnMC″ grafted ZnAl₂O₄, named as ZAZ nanomaterial. This not only imparts successful segregation of arsenate from drinking water but also provides naked-eye detection under ambient light as well as UV light. Thermodynamic parameters associated with the binding of arsenate to ZnMC and ZAZ have been evaluated through isothermal calorimetric (ITC) measurements. Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence titration study, absorption titration study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and computational calculations have been performed to get deep insights into the sensing properties. Proper justification of the sensing mechanism is the highlight of this work. ZAZ nanomaterial has been exploited to produce a self-test paper kit for arsenate detection with a limit of 9.86 ppb, which potentially enables applications in environmental monitoring.

Bodipy Based Fluorescent Materials in Cellulose Matrices: Synthesis, Spectral Properties and Vapochromic Fluorescent Recognition of Alcohols and Acetone

This paper highlights advances made using the 4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) as a fluorophore in design and application of fluorescent sensors for microenvironment polarity. Sections of the paper cover broad analysis of a range of fluorescent indicators immobilized in ethyl- and methyl cellulose matrices. The present study demonstrates that BODIPY-based fluorescent materials could be successfully utilized for ratiometric detection of ethanol and acetone in gas phase. The achieved limit of detection value equals 0.02 mg/ml for acetone and 0.08 mg/ml for ethanol, whereas obtained sensoric materials are reusable without regeneration required.

Studies of the labile lead pool using a rhodamine-based fluorescent probe

Lead is a heavy metal which has long been known to have toxic effects on the body. However, much remains to be learnt about the labile lead pool and cellular uptake of lead. We report here RPb1 that undergoes a 100-fold increase in fluorescence emission in the presence of Pb2+, and which can be applied to study the labile lead pool within cells. We demonstrate the capacity of RPb1 for investigating labile lead pool in DLD-1 cells and changes in labile lead during differentiation of K562 cells.

A Simple Turn-off Schiff Base Fluorescent Sensor for Copper (II) Ion and Its Application in Water Analysis

An aniline-functionalized naphthalene dialdehyde Schiff base fluorescent probe L with aggregation-induced enhanced emission (AIEE) characteristics was synthesized via a simple one-step condensation reaction and exhibited excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards copper(II) ions in aqueous media with a fluorescence " turn-off " phenomenon. The detection limit of the probe is 1.64 × 10^-8 mol·L^-1. Furthermore, according to the results of the UV-vis/fluorescence titrations, Job's plot method and ¹H-NMR titrations, a 1:2 stoichiometry was identified. The binding constant between L and Cu²⁺ was calculated to be K_a = 1.222 × 10³. In addition, the AIEE fluorescent probe L could be applied to detection in real water samples with satisfactory recoveries in the range 99.10-102.90% in lake water and 98.49-102.37% in tap water.

Recent development of chromogenic and fluorogenic chemosensors for the detection of arsenic species: Environmental and biological applications

Due to biological and environmental significance of highly toxic arsenic species, the design, synthesis and development of chemosensors for arsenic species has been a very active research field in recent times. In this review, we summarize recent works on the sensing mechanisms employed by fluorometric/colorimetric chemosensors and their applications in arsenic detection. Various types of sensing strategies can be categorized into six types including (i) chemosensors based on hydrogen bonding interactions; (ii) aggregation induced emission (AIE) based chemosensors; (iii) chemodosimetric approach (reaction-based chemosensors); (iv) metal coordination-based sensing strategy; (v) chemosensors based on metal complex displacement approach and (vi) metal complex as chemosensor. All these sensing strategies are very much simple and sensitive for use in the design of arsenic selective chromogenic and fluorogenic probes.

Meso-functionalization of calix[4]arene with 1,3,7-triazapyrene in the design of novel fluorophores with the dual target detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ cations

A meso-functionalization strategy has successfully been applied to the synthesis of novel 1,3,7-triazapyrene derivatives of calixarenes. The key synthetic step in these transformations providing the direct C-C bond formation is nucleophilic substitution of hydrogen (SN H) in 1,3,7-triazapyrene. General photophysical characteristics for these macrocyclic compounds, as well as features in emission properties upon addition of various metal cations have been elaborated. Studies using NMR spectroscopy have also shown a mutual effect of both calix[4]arene and 1,3,7-triazapyrene moieties on the coordination process. The complex stoichiometry and binding constants for Al3+ and Fe3+ guests have been explored with titration experiments.

Thermally Stable Fluorogenic Zn(II) Sensor Based on a Bis(benzimidazole)pyridine-Linked Phenyl-Silsesquioxane Polymer

A 2,6-bis(2-benzimidazolyl) pyridine-linked silsesquioxane-based semi-branched polymer was synthesized, and its photophysical and metal-sensing properties have been investigated. The polymer is thermally stable up to 285 °C and emits blue in both solid and solution state. The emission of the polymer is sensitive to pH and is gradually decreased and quenched upon protonation of the linkers. The initial emission color is recoverable upon deprotonation with triethylamine. The polymer also shows unique spectroscopic properties in both absorption and emission upon long-term UV irradiation, with red-shifted absorption and emission not present in a simple blended system of phenylsilsesquioxane and linker, suggesting that a long-lived energy transfer or charge separated state is present. In addition, the polymer acts as a fluorescence shift sensor for Zn(II) ions, with red shifts observed from 464 to 528 nm, and reversible binding by the introduction of a competitive ligand such as tetrahydrofuran. The ion sensing mechanism can differentiate Zn(II) from Cd(II) by fluorescence color shifts, which is unique because they are in the same group of the periodic table and possess similar chemical properties. Finally, the polymer system embedded in a paper strip acts as a fluorescent chemosensor for Zn(II) ions in solution, showing its potential as a solid phase ion extractor.

A novel electrochemical sensor based on double-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene hybrid thin film for arsenic(V) detection

In this work, we demonstrate the preparation of hybrid thin films based on double-walled carbon nanotubes and graphene for electrochemical sensing applications. The hybrid films were synthesized on polycrystalline copper foil by thermal chemical vapor deposition under low pressure. This carbonaceous hybrid film has exhibited high transparency with a transmittance of 94.3 %. The occurrence of this hybrid material on the electrode surface of screen-printed electrodes was found to increase electroactive surface area by 1.4 times, whereas electrochemical current was enhanced by 2.4 times. Such a highly transparent and conductive hybrid film was utilized as a transducing platform of enzymatic electrochemical arsenic(V) sensor. The as-prepared sensor shows the linear detection of arsenic(V) in the range from 1 to 10 ppb, with a limit of detection as low as 0.287 ppb. These findings provide a promising approach to develop new multifunctional electrochemical sensing systems for environmental monitoring and biomedical diagnostics.

Masking Phosphate with Rare-Earth Elements Enables Selective Detection of Arsenate by Dipycolylamine-ZnII Chemosensor

Functional reassessment of the phosphate-specific chemosensors revealed their potential as arsenate detectors. A series of dipicolylamine (Dpa)-ZnII chemosensors were screened, among which acridine Dpa-ZnII chemosensor showed the highest capability in sensing arsenate. The presence of excess ZnII improved sensitivity and strengthened the binding between acridine Dpa-ZnII complex to arsenate as well as phosphate. However, due to their response to phosphate, these sensors are not suited for arsenate detection when phosphate is also present. This study demonstrated for the first time that rare-earth elements could effectively mask phosphate, allowing the specific fluorescence detection of arsenate in phosphate-arsenate coexisting systems. In addition, detection of arsenate contamination in the real river water samples and soil samples was performed to prove its practical use. This sensor was further employed for the visualization of arsenate and phosphate uptake in vegetables and flowering plants for the first time, as well as in the evaluation of a potent inhibitor of arsenate/phosphate uptake.

Development of ultrasensitive and As(iii)-selective upconverting (NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+) platform

Solid-phase, LRET-based NaYF₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ platform for the ultrasensitive (1 nM) detection of arsenic.

A ZnS quantum dot-based super selective fluorescent chemosensor for soluble ppb-level total arsenic [As(iii) + As(v)] in aqueous media: direct assay utilizing aggregation-enhanced emission (AEE) for analytical application

This study brings out a novel, superselective detection employing thiosalicylic acid-capped ZnS-based quantum dots that display photoluminescence "turn-on" characteristics only in the presence of arsenic in the aquatic medium for the first time. It shows a splendid limit of detection of soluble arsenic down to a few ppb level, much below than the MCL reported value, without being interfered by any other ions.

Colorimetric Assay Conversion to Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Assay for Bimodal Detection of Arsenate Based on Cobalt Oxyhydroxide Nanozyme via Arsenate Absorption

This study reports a novel and convenient bimodal method for label-free and signal-off detection of arsenate in environmental samples. Cobalt oxyhydroxide (CoOOH) nanoflakes with facile preparation and intrinsic peroxidase-like activity as nanozyme can efficiently catalyze the conversion of chromogenic substrate such as 2,2'-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) with the presence of H₂O₂ into green-colored oxidation products. CoOOH nanoflakes can specifically bind with arsenate via electrostatic attraction and As-O bond interaction, which gives rise to inhibition of the peroxidase-like activity of CoOOH. Thus, through arsenate specific inhibition of CoOOH nanozyme toward ABTS catalysis, a simple colorimetric method was developed for arsenate detection with a detection limit of 3.72 ppb. Based on the system of CoOOH nanozyme and ABTS substrate, this colorimetric method can be converted into an electrochemical sensor for arsenate assay by the utilization of CoOOH nanoflake-modified electrode. The electrochemical measurement can be realized by chronoamperometry, which showed more sensitive and a lower limit of detection as low as 56.1 ppt. The applicability of this bimodal method was demonstrated by measuring arsenate and total arsenic in different real samples such as natural waters and soil extracted solutions, and the results are of satisfactory accuracy as confirmed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis. The bimodal strategy offers obvious advantages including a label-free step, convenient operation, on-site assay, low cost, and high sensitivity, which is promising for reliable detection of arsenate and total arsenic in environmental samples.

A "turn-on" fluorescent probe for the detection of permanganate in aqueous media

A novel carbazole-based probe was synthesized and found to exhibit fluorescence upon introduction to potassium permanganate in aqueous media. Guided by a series of experimental studies and DFT calculations, the underlying mechanism is proposed to proceed through a series of tandem proton and electron transfer processes.

A “turn-on” fluorescent probe for highly selective discrimination of hypochlorite (ClO−) from oxidants including dichromates (Cr2O72−) in aqueous media

A carbazole-based probe was synthesized and found to fluoresce (λ_em,max = 440 nm) in the presence of hypochlorite.

Miniaturized Sample Preparation and Rapid Detection of Arsenite in Contaminated Soil Using a Smartphone

Conventional methods for analyzing heavy metal contamination in soil and water generally require laboratory equipped instruments, complex procedures, skilled personnel and a significant amount of time. With the advancement in computing and multitasking performances, smartphone-based sensors potentially allow the transition of the laboratory-based analytical processes to field applicable, simple methods. In the present work, we demonstrate the novel miniaturized setup for simultaneous sample preparation and smartphone-based optical sensing of arsenic As(III) in the contaminated soil. Colorimetric detection protocol utilizing aptamers, gold nanoparticles and NaCl have been optimized and tested on the PDMS-chip to obtain the high sensitivity with the limit of detection of 0.71 ppm (in the sample) and a correlation coefficient of 0.98. The performance of the device is further demonstrated through the comparative analysis of arsenic-spiked soil samples with standard laboratory method, and a good agreement with a correlation coefficient of 0.9917 and the average difference of 0.37 ppm, are experimentally achieved. With the android application on the device to run the experiment, the whole process from sample preparation to detection is completed within 3 hours without the necessity of skilled personnel. The approximate cost of setup is estimated around 1 USD, weight 55 g. Therefore, the presented method offers the simple, rapid, portable and cost-effective means for onsite sensing of arsenic in soil. Combined with the geometric information inside the smartphones, the system will allow the monitoring of the contamination status of soils in a nation-wide manner.

Tuning DNA adsorption affinity and density on metal oxide and phosphate for improved arsenate detection

Arsenic (As) contamination in groundwater presents a major health and environmental concern in developing countries. Typically, As is found in two oxidation states. Most chemical tests for inorganic arsenic are focused on As(III), and few have been developed for As(V). We are interested in developing biosensors for As(V) based on its similarity with phosphate. Building upon previous work involving DNA-capped Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for As(V) detection, we investigated two other nanomaterials: CeO₂ and CePO₄ in terms of DNA adsorption and As(V) induced DNA desorption. Fluorescently labeled DNA is physically adsorbed to the surface sites on the nanoparticle surface via its phosphate backbone. In the cases of CeO₂ and Fe₃O₄, the fluorescence was quenched due to electron transfer, whereas for the insulating CePO₄, no quenching was observed. Arsenate, being similar to phosphate, can also bind to the surface of the nanoparticles and displace the DNA, increasing the fluorescence signal. The length and sequence of DNA were systematically studied. Using this method, CeO₂ performed significantly better than Fe₃O₄, lowering the detection limit by almost 10-fold. In addition, for CeO₂ and CePO₄, using shorter DNA was more effective for As(V) detection than using the longer DNA since they both adsorb DNA more tightly than Fe₃O₄ does. Overall, CeO₂ has the best performance since it has an intermediate adsorption affinity of DNA, while CePO₄ adsorbs DNA too strongly.

A long-range emissive mega-Stokes inorganic–organic hybrid material with peripheral carboxyl functionality for As(v) recognition and its application in bioimaging

We demonstrate a strategy for the recognition of As⁵⁺ in aqueous solution using a red-emissive probe based on a perylene–Cu²⁺ ensemble decorated with peripheral free carboxyl functionality.

Pyrene–antipyrine based highly selective and sensitive turn-on fluorescent sensor for Th(iv)

Herein, a turn-on flruorescent sensor for thorium(iv) based on pyrene–antipyrine unit is described.

Colorimetric and ON–OFF–ON fluorescent chemosensor for the sequential detection of Cu(ii) and cysteine and its application in imaging of living cells

An easy-to-prepare colorimetric and ON–OFF–ON fluorescent naphthol derivative 1 has been used for sequential detection of Cu²⁺ and cysteine.

Comment on 'Fluorescence sensing of arsenate at nanomolar level in a greener way: naphthalene based probe for living cell imaging'

The naphthalene based probe (NAPSAL) described in the entitled communication is not stable in water, and therefore NAPSAL is unsuitable as an aqueous arsenate sensor.

Pattern-Based Detection of Anion Pollutants in Water with DNA Polyfluorophores

Many existing irrigation, industrial and chemical storage sites are currently introducing hazardous anions into groundwater, making the monitoring of such sites a high priority. Detecting and quantifying anions in water samples typically requires complex instrumentation, adding cost and delaying analysis. Here we address these challenges by development of an optical molecular method to detect and discriminate a broad range of anionic contaminants with DNA-based fluorescent sensors. A library of 1296 tetrameric-length oligodeoxyfluorosides (ODFs) composed of metal ligand and fluorescence modulating monomers was constructed with a DNA synthesizer on PEG-polystyrene microbeads. These oligomers on beads were incubated with YIII or ZnII ions to provide affinity and responsiveness to anions. Seventeen anions were screened with the library under an epifluorescence microscope, ultimately yielding eight chemosensors that could discriminate 250 μM solutions of all 17 anions in buffered water using their patterns of response. This sensor set was able to identify two unknown anion samples from ten closely-responding anions and could also function quantitatively, determining unknown concentrations of anions such as cyanide (as low as 1 mM) and selenate (as low as 50 μM). Further studies with calibration curves established detection limits of selected anions including thiocyanate (detection limit ~300 μM) and arsenate (~800 μM). The results demonstrate DNA-like fluorescent chemosensors as versatile tools for optically analyzing environmentally hazardous anions in aqueous environments.

Di-oxime based selective fluorescent probe for arsenate and arsenite ions in a purely aqueous medium with living cell imaging applications and H-bonding induced microstructure formation

A 2-hydroxy-5-methyl-benzene-1,3-dicarboxaldehyde di-oxime based turn-on blue emission fluorescent probe was found to recognize both AsO₂⁻ and H₂AsO₄⁻ in a purely aqueous medium in intra and extra-cellular conditions.

Zn2+mediated solvent free solid state red emitting fluorescent complex formation in a mortar–pestle along with living cell imaging studies

AAScan selectively detect Zn²⁺fluorometrically and colorimetrically in the presence of common cations and anions in a solvent free method.

Sn(ii) induced concentration dependent dynamic to static excimer conversion of a conjugated naphthalene derivative

The colorimetric and fluorescence recognition of Sn²⁺ has been achieved using a naphthalene appended diformyl-p-cresol derivative (L). The dynamic excimer, observed up to 50 μM Sn²⁺, gradually converts to a static type above 50 μM Sn²⁺. DFT calculations support the experimental findings.

Advances in arsenic biosensor development--a comprehensive review

Biosensors are analytical devices having high sensitivity, portability, small sample requirement and ease of use for qualitative and quantitative monitoring of various analytes of human importance. Arsenic (As), owing to its widespread presence in nature and high toxicity to living creatures, requires frequent determination in water, soil, agricultural and food samples. The present review is an effort to highlight the various advancements made so far in the development of arsenic biosensors based either on recombinant whole cells or on certain arsenic-binding oligonucleotides or proteins. The role of futuristic approaches like surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and aptamer technology has also been discussed. The biomethods employed and their general mechanisms, advantages and limitations in relevance to arsenic biosensors developed so far are intended to be discussed in this review.

Selective sensing of Hg²⁺ using rhodamine-thiophene conjugate: red light emission and visual detection of intracellular Hg²⁺ at nanomolar level

Rhodamine-thiophene conjugate (L) has been synthesized and characterized by (1)H NMR, FTIR and mass spectra. L shows a large enhancement in emission intensity in presence of Hg(2+). Moreover, naked eye color of L becomes intense red in presence of Hg(2+). The lowest detection limit for Hg(2+) is 1 × 10(-9)M in HEPES buffer (0.1M in EtOH/water, 1/1, v/v, pH 7.4). Hg(2+) induced chelation enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) is associated with spirolacram ring opening of the rhodamine unit. Trace level intracellular Hg(2+) is visualized under fluorescence microscope.

FRET based tri-color emissive rhodamine-pyrene conjugate as an Al3+ selective colorimetric and fluorescence sensor for living cell imaging

A rhodamine-pyrene hybrid molecule acts as a colorimetric and fluorimetric sensor for Al(3+) through time dependent PET-CHEF and FRET processes associated with tri-color emission. Intracellular Al(3+) has been visualized through time dependent blue-green-red emission. The lowest limit of detection for Al(3+) is 0.02 μM.