A colorimetric and fluorometric dual-mode probe for Cu2+detection based on functionalized silver nanoparticles

A novel colorimetric/fluorescent probe (AgNPs-GSH-Rh6G2) was prepared by linking silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with rhodamine 6G derivative (Rh6G2) using glutathione (GSH) as a linker molecule. The prepared probe showed obvious fluorescence change and colorimetric response after adding copper ions. Based on this phenomenon, a colorimetric/fluorescence dual-mode detection method was constructed to recognize copper ions. The linear ranges of fluorescence detection and colorimetric detection were 0.10 to 0.45 mM and 0.15 to 0.65 mM, respectively, and the limit of detection were 0.18 μM and 24.90 μΜ. In addition, the dual-mode probe has achieved satisfactory results in the detection of copper ions in sediment samples. The successful construction of AgNPs-GSH-Rh6G2 not only provide a reliable tool for the detection of copper ions, but also shed light on a new idea for the multi-mode development of the detection platform.

Dual-mode fluorescent and colorimetric sensing of thiourea and aluminum ion in natural water based on CuO nanoparticles

CuO nanoparticles with good water solubility and uniform particle size were successfully prepared. Interestingly, the oxidase-like activity of CuO NPs was continuously enhanced by the addition of thiourea (TU), and the enzyme activity was further enhanced by the addition of aluminum ion (Al3+). By systematically exploring and optimizing the experimental conditions, including the key parameters such as temperature, reaction time, and pH, a fluorescence-colorimetric dual-mode sensing system based on CuO nanoparticles was constructed. The detection range of TU and Al3+ were 1-100 µM and 1-100 µM, respectively, and the selectivity and precision of detection were further improved. In addition, the catalytic mechanism of CuO NPs as oxidase-like catalysts and the specific process in the reaction were investigated. Finally, the nano-sensing system was successfully applied to the analysis of three real environmental samples, namely, tap water, lake water and river water, which provided an effective new strategy for the future development of nano-sensing technology for TU and Al3+.

Dual-mode biosensor platform based on synergistic effects of dual-functional hybrid nanomaterials

Detection of biomarkers is very vital in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. However, due to the poor accuracy and sensitivity of the constructed biosensors, we are now facing great challenges. In addressing these problems, nanohybrid-based dual mode biosensors including optical-optical, optical-electrochemical and electrochemical-electrochemical have been developed to detect various biomarkers. Integrating the merits of nanomaterials with abundant active sites, synergy and excellent physicochemical properties, many bi-functional nanohybrids have been reasonable designed and controllable preparation, which applied to the construction dual mode biosensors. Despite the significant progress, further efforts are still needed to develop dual mode biosensors and ensure their practical application by using portable digital devices. Therefore, the present review summarizes an in-depth evaluation of the bi-functional nanohybrids assisted dual mode biosensing platform of biomarkers. We are hoping this review could inspire further concepts in developing novel dual mode biosensors for possible detection application.

A novel and simple naphthol azo dye chemosensor as a naked eye detection tool for highly selective, sensitive and accurate determination of thiourea in tap water, juices and fruit skins

In the present study, a highly accurate and sensitive azo-dye-based colorimetric sensor based on Eriochrome Black T (EBT) was proposed to detect and determine thiourea (TU). TU is truly an important toxic and carcinogenic hazardous pollutant as approved by EPA and IARC. This chemosensor shows a distinct color change from blue to pink during interaction with TU in aqueous medium. So EBT is capable as an applied tool for naked eye detection of TU as its color change is easily observed without any means. The sensing mechanism was also investigated using UV-vis absorption and FT-IR spectra. The linear range and the detection limit of TU sensing were respectively 0.15-18.5 μmol/L and 0.02 μmol/L. In addition, the relative standard deviation (RSD) based on ten repetitions calculated for two different TU concentrations 4.4 and 9.0 μmol/L were 2.3 % and 1.8 %, respectively. Besides its useful application as a naked eye detection tool, the advantages of the developed method include simplicity, elimination of tedious separation and pre-concentration steps, executable in neutral aqueous media, low costs, high accuracy, linear response for wide range of concentrations, low detection limit, high sensitivity, compatibility, and excellent selectivity. The concentration of TU in tap water, fruit juices or fruit skin samples can be visually detected and determined easily using this method. The results showed that EBT is an ideal colorimetric chemosensor for TU, which has been reported for the first time.

Turning on the Antimicrobial Activity of Gold Nanoclusters Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

In this work, we show that the addition of thiourea (TU) initiated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity of otherwise inactive D-maltose-capped gold nanoclusters (AuNC-Mal). For example, AuNC-Mal/TU was effective against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1 μg mL-1 (2.5 μM [Au]) while having 30-60 times lower in vitro cytotoxicity against mammalian cells. The reaction of AuNC-Mal and TU generated the antimicrobial species of [Au(TU)2 ]+ and smaller AuNCs. TU increased the accumulation of Au in bacteria and helped maintain the oxidation state as AuI (vs. AuIII ). The modes of action included the inhibition of thioredoxin reductase, interference with the CuI regulation and depletion of ATP. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity did not change in the presence of colistin or carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone, suggesting that AuNC-Mal/TU was indifferent to the outer membrane barrier and to bacterial efflux pumps.

A fluorescent probe based on FRET effect between carbon nanodots and gold nanoparticles for sensitive detection of thiourea

Illegal abuse results in the presence of thiourea (TU) in soil, wastewater, and even fruits, which is harmful for the environment and human health. It has urgent practical significance to design an efficient and reliable probe for TU detection. Herein, a sensitive fluorescent probe with off-on response for harmful TU was reported. The probe was designed with fluorescent carbon nanodots (CNDs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) effect. Firstly, the CNDs were pre-combined with AuNPs and the fluorescence of CNDs was quenched due to the FRET effect. Upon addition of TU, the fluorescence of CNDs recovered due to the unbinding of CNDs and AuNPs, since the coordination interaction between TU and AuNPs is stronger than the electrostatic interaction among CNDs and AuNPs. Under the optimum parameters, a linear relationship was found between the relative fluorescence intensity of the probe and the concentration of TU in the range of 5.00 × 10^-8-1.00 × 10^-6 M (R² = 0.9958), with the limit of detection (LOD) calculated to be 3.62 × 10^-8 M. This proposed method is easy to operate and has excellent selectivity and sensitivity for TU, which can be effectively applied in environmental water and compound fruit-vegetable juice.

Sensitive Detection of Thiourea Hazardous Toxin with Sandwich-Type Nafion/CuO/ZnO Nanospikes/Glassy Carbon Composite Electrodes

In this research study, we developed a voltammetric electrochemical sensor probe with a copolymer Nafion (Sulfonated Tetrafluoroethylene-based Fluoro-polymer) decorated with hydrothermally prepared sandwich-type CuO/ZnO nanospikes (NSs) onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for reliable thiourea (TU) detection. The detailed characterizations in terms of structural morphology, binding energy, elemental compositions, grain size and crystallinity for synthesized NSs were performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, respectively. The differential pulse voltammetric (DPV) analysis for TU showed good linearity at current-versus-TU concentration on the calibration plot in the 0.15~1.20 mM range, which is defined as a dynamic detection range (LDR) of TU in a phosphate buffer solution. Considering the slope of LDR over the GCE-coated NSs surface area (0.0316 cm2), the TU sensor sensitivity (0.4122 µA µM-1 cm-2) was obtained. Besides this, the low limit (LOD) for TU detection was calculated and found to be 23.03 ± 1.15 µM. The fabricated Nafion/CuO/ZnO NSs/GCE sensor probe was created as a reliable sensor based on reproducibility, interference effect, stability and response time. Real bio-samples were investigated and the results confirm the anticipated reliability of the TU sensor probe. Thus, this is a noble way to develop enzyme-free electrochemical sensors that could be an alternative approach for the detection of chemicals in the field of enzyme-free biosensor development technology.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-thermal lens spectrometry (FRET-TLS) as molecular counting of methamphetamine

A novel and sensitive approach has been presented for the determination of methamphetamine (METH) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer-thermal lens spectrometry (FRET-TLS). Due to the affinity of fluorescein molecules to the surface of AuNPs through the electrostatic interaction and thereby caused reduction of the distance between fluorescein and AuNPs, the best way for de-excitation of excited fluorescein is FRET. The energy absorbed by fluorescein transferred to AuNPs causes enhancement of the thermal lens effect. The thermal lens of the fluorescence molecule could be enhanced through a proper acceptor. Upon the addition of methamphetamine, the fluorescein molecules are detached from the surface of AuNPs, due to the stronger adsorption of methamphetamine. As a result, the fluorescence of fluorescein recovered, and the thermal lens effect of fluorescein decreased. The mechanism of energy transfer was evaluated by two different methods including time-resolved spectroscopy and thermal lens spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the thermal lens signal was linearly proportional to methamphetamine concentration in the range 5 - 80 nM. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 1.5 nM and 4.5 nM, respectively. The detection volume and limit of molecules in the detection volume were 960 attoliter and 87 molecules, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of methamphetamine in human blood plasma and urine.

A colorimetric sensor for detecting thiourea based on inhibiting peroxidase-like activity of gold-platinum nanoparticles

In this study, gold-platinum nanoparticles (Au@PtNPs) with peroxidase-like activity were synthesized. In the absence of thiourea (TU), the Au@PtNPs can catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, and oxidize 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride (TMB, colorless) into oxidized 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine dihydrochloride (oxTMB, blue). The peroxidase-like activity of the Au@PtNPs is inhibited in the presence of TU, and TMB cannot be oxidized to oxTMB effectively, and no blue color could be observed. Based on this finding, a novel colorimetric sensor for detecting TU is proposed. The absorbance response curve showed a good linearity for the concentration of TU in the range of 10 nmol L^-1 to 10 μmol L^-1 with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.999, and the limit of detection is 9.57 nmol L^-1. The colorimetric sensor possesses excellent selectivity, anti-interference ability, and application value in actual samples.

'Urease immobilized single-kit' for sensing of thiourea-glucose pair employing fluorescence 'Turn off - Turn on' and as an efficient sorbent for selective sample cleanup of thiourea

The tenfold lowering in binding energy for TU-Tyrosine in immobilized urease (K_b: 4.7 × 10³) with respect to the native enzyme (K_b: 6.5 × 10⁴) begets easy desorption of thiourea (TU) by glucose (GL) with an eventual formation of a more strong TU- GL adduct; that rejuvenates the kit-material ready for the subsequent cycle(s). The sorption-desorption heeds fluorescence turn-off and turn-on in DCM for selective sensing of TU- GL pair at their respective linear range of concentration 2.5-26.1 ppm and 2.36-11.57 ppm. The process was found to be static (K_SV ≥ 2.25 × 10³ L mol^-1), exothermic (ΔH: -0.08 kJ mol^-1), spontaneous (ΔG: -21.1 kJ mol^-1) and marginally entropy gaining (ΔS: 0.07 kJ mol^-1 K^-1). The 'bulk material' (200 ± 20 μm) brilliantly preconcentrates TU with an enrichment factor of 106.2 after its selective extraction at near-neutral pH from a large volume sample (800 mL) of low concentration (30 ppm). A very dilute solution (0.05 mmol L^-1) of GL at minimum volume (6 mL) acts as a stripping agent and provides a longer life (200 cycles with good extraction efficiency) to the material. The method was found to be efficient in the analysis of fruit juice as a real sample.

Size-modulated optical property of gold nanorods for sensitive and colorimetric detection of thiourea in fruit juice

As an important sulfur compound, thiourea (TU) has caused great concern because of its wide application as well as its serious toxicity and hazard to the environment. Thus, it is necessary to develop a sensitive and selective method for TU analysis. In this work, gold nanorods (AuNRs) acted as an optical probe to realize the sensitive and colorimetric detection of TU. In HCl medium, Fe³⁺ at low concentration was difficult to oxide Au⁰ to form Au⁺ because of the high redox potential or the positive Gibbs free energy change. However, this process was possible when TU was present since the association constant between Au⁺ and TU is great enough to bind with TU to form a stable complex to further promote the etching of AuNRs, resulting in the lower aspect ratio of AuNRs with the blue shift and intensity decrease in extinction spectra, accompanied by the divisive colors of AuNRs solution or colorful dark-field light scattering imaging of single AuNR. The blue-shift of AuNRs longitudinal plasmon resonance absorption (LPRA) band was proportional to the concentration of TU in the range of 1-250 nM and the limit of detection (3σ/k) was as low as 0.4 nM. In addition, the colorimetric method was proven with high selectivity in the presence of potential interfering compounds, which was successfully applied to the detection of TU in fruit juice samples. This proposed colorimetric method provides a simple, sensitive yet selective measurement tool for TU sensing, which may offer new opportunities in the development of colorimetric sensors for food safety in the future.

Determination of thiourea based on the reversion of fluorescence quenching of nitrogen doped carbon dots by Hg2

Herein, a facile and quick strategy to detect thiourea was conducted based on the reversion of fluorescence quenching of nitrogen doped carbon dots (NCDs) by Hg²⁺. The NCDs with good water solubility and 17% of quantum yield was synthesized by one-step hydrothermal method, using ammonium citrate and dextrin as carbon source and nitrogen source, respectively. The fluorescence of NCDs was obviously quenched by Hg²⁺ and can be recovered, due to stronger interaction between thiourea and Hg²⁺. There was a good linear relationship between the recovered fluorescence and the concentration of thiourea within range of 0.90-10.0 μM and the detection limit for thiourea detection was 0.15 μM. The as-prepared NCDs can be used for determination of thiourea in tap water, lake water and rice flour products, and the spike recoveries were between 91.6 and 108%.

Acridine orange as a coreactant for efficient electrogenerated chemiluminescence of tris(2,2′-bipyridine)ruthenium(ii) and its use in selective and sensitive detection of thiourea

We introduced a novel coreactant for efficient anodic electrochemiluminescence of Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ and applied it for the sensitive detection of thiourea for the first time.

Colorimetric and Ratiometric Fluorescence Dual-Mode Sensing of Glucose Based on Carbon Quantum Dots and Potential UV/Fluorescence of o-Diaminobenzene

A novel colorimetric and ratiometric fluorescence sensor was constructed by using carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and o-diaminobenzene (ODB). Unlike ODB by itself, ODB oxide (oxODB) not only emits fluorescence, but also produces ultraviolet (UV) absorption. Therefore, on the basis of the potential optical properties of ODB, glucose oxidase (Gox) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) were introduced into a CQDs⁻ODB system for the quantitative oxidation of ODB. When glucose is present, it is oxidized by oxygen under the catalytic action of its oxidase to form hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidant that can rapidly oxidize ODB through the catalysis of horseradish peroxidase. oxODB can cause changes in the fluorescence ratio (I550/I446) and absorbance ratio (A/A₀). At the same time, the color of the detection solution can also change under sunlight and ultraviolet lamps. Therefore, glucose can be quantitatively detected by ratiometric fluorescence and colorimetry simultaneously, and semi-quantitatively detected by observing the colors with sunlight and ultraviolet lamps of 365 nm. This increases not only the convenience but also the accuracy of detection. In addition, this sensor has good selectivity and can be used for the determination of glucose in serum, providing a new idea for the development of blood glucose sensors.

A MnO2–[Ru(dpp)3]Cl2 system for colorimetric and fluorimetric dual-readout detection of H2O2

Two-dimensional (2D) MnO₂ nanosheets were synthesized by a template-free and one-step route, and the dye [Ru(dpp)₃]Cl₂ was linked onto the MnO₂ nanosheet surface via electrostatic interaction. The formed MnO₂–[Ru(dpp)₃]Cl₂ hybrid was used for a dual optical detection for H₂O₂, an important reactive oxygen species (ROS). Upon addition of H₂O₂, the reaction of MnO₂ with H₂O₂ results in the dissolution of MnO₂ nanosheets and simultaneous generation of O₂. The fading of the solution and simultaneous fluorescence change of [Ru(dpp)₃]Cl₂, sensitive to O₂, enables colorimetric and fluorimetric dual-mode detection of H₂O₂. The dual-output assay in a single probe provides a good sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.18 μM H₂O₂. The dual-signal strategy can efficiently overcome the shortcoming of the single detection mode, and improve the detection accuracy by an additional correction of output signals from each other. Moreover, the successful determination of H₂O₂ in the serum samples demonstrates the potential applicability of the MnO₂–[Ru(dpp)₃]Cl₂ based probe in biosensing and bioanalysis.

The MnO₂ nanosheets with anchored [Ru(dpp)₃]Cl₂ were prepared for colorimetric and fluorimetric dual-mode detection of H₂O₂.

Colorimetric Determination of Hypochlorite Based on the Oxidative Leaching of Gold Nanorods

Hypochlorite plays a critical role in killing microorganisms in the water. However, it can also cause cardiovascular diseases, neuron degeneration, and cancer to humans. Although traditional methods feature excellent sensitivity and reliability in detecting hypochlorite, the expensive instruments and strict determination conditions have limited their application in environmental analysis to some extent. Thus, it is necessary and urgent to propose a cheap, facile, and quick analytical assay for hypochlorite. This paper proposes a colorimetric assay for hypochlorite utilizing gold nanorods (AuNRs) as the nanoreactor and color reader. The AuNRs were acquired via a reported seed-mediated method. NaClO with strong oxidation property can cause the etching of gold from the longitudinal tips of AuNRs, which could shorten the aspect ratio of AuNRs, decrease the absorption in the UV–Vis spectrum and also induce the solution color changing from red to pale yellow. Thus, according to the solution color change and the absorbance of longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of AuNRs, we established the calibration curve of NaClO within 0.08 μM to 125 μM (∆Abs = 0.0547 + 0.004 C_NaClO, R² = 0.9631). Compared to traditional method, we obtained the conversion formula between the concentration of residual-chlorine in tap water and the concentration of hypochlorite detected by the proposed colorimetric assay, which is C_{residual-chlorine} = 0.24 C_NaClO. Finally, the real application of the colorimetric assay in tap water was successfully performed, and the accuracy of the colorimetric method can reach from −6.78% to +8.53%.

Inner Filter Effect-Based Sensor for Horseradish Peroxidase and Its Application to Fluorescence Immunoassay

Being an important model peroxidase, horseradish peroxidase (HRP) has been thoroughly understood, and the detection of HRP is not only directly related to peroxidase-triggered catalytic process, but also linked to the development of HRP-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Herein, we have reported an unconventional fluorescent sensor for convenient assay of HRP activity based on the HRP-catalyzed specific conversion of p-phenylenediamine (PPD) into chromogenic PPDox with H₂O₂ as the oxidizing agent, accompanied by the fluorescence quenching effect on fluorescein. By combining UV-vis absorption spectrum, isothermal titration calorimetry, and fluorescence lifetime analysis, we have confirmed the inner filter effect as a main quenching mechanism in our proposed fluorescent assay. According to the intrinsic sensitivity of fluorescent sensor and high selectivity, our PPD/fluorescein-based sensing system can be utilized for real-time monitoring of the HRP activity in real biological samples. Furthermore, the unambiguous response mechanism and excellent sensing performance encourage us to extend such HRP assay into the HRP-based fluorescent ELISA, which has a broad prospect of application in fluorescent diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by sensing alpha-fetoprotein, the well-known serologic HCC marker.

A highly sensitive and rapidly responding fluorescent probe based on a rhodol fluorophore for imaging endogenous hypochlorite in living mice

Hypochlorous (HOCl) acid is generated as a defense tool in the immune system and plays a vital role in killing a wide range of pathogens. There is therefore great interest in developing fluorescent probes that can endogenously respond to the change in concentration of HOCl in vivo. To address this challenge, we here present a rapidly responding fluorescent probe RO610 to image endogenous HOCl in living mice. The development of RO610 was based on a novel water-soluble and pH-independent fluorescent xanthene dye, 2'-formylrhodol ROA, which exhibits highly selective and sensitive responses to HOCl/ClO^- over other reactive species. Moreover, adding a little more than 5 equiv. of ClO^- to the solution of RO610 resulted in a clearly observable fluorescence enhancement (48-fold) within 30 s. Based on these properties, RO610 was used to detect ClO^- in A549 cells without interference by other oxidants. It was applied for the imaging of endogenous HOCl in living nude mice with satisfactory results.

A turn-on FRET sensor based on dichlorofluorescein and AuNPs for rapid and ultrasensitive detection of ambroxol hydrochloride in urine

Schematic illustration for the detection of ambroxol based on FRET between the AuNPs and DCF.