A novel tryptanthrin-based "on-off-on" probe for sequential sensing Cu2+/S2- in water samples

Copper ions (Cu2+) and sulfide (S2-) play essential roles in many physiologies and pathologic processes. Herein, a new "on-off-on" tryptanthrin-based probe TR-1 (TR-1) has been designed and synthesized in a facile and economical way. TR-1 exhibited highly selective and sensitive response to Cu2+ without any interference over 14 competitive metal ions and the detection limit downs to 24 nM, which is far below the Chinese standard of fishery water quality (157 nM). The 'in situ' prepared complex TR-1 + Cu2+ could also be applied to detect S2- with the detection limit of 62 nM. Further, TR-1 was potentially applied for the analysis of copper ions in water samples.

An NIR light-responsive "on-off-on" photoelectrochemical aptasensor for carcinoembryonic antigen assay based on Y-shaped DNA

This work develops a novel photoelectrochemical sensor for the detection of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) based on the composite of UCNPs with semiconductors and conformational changes in the DNA structure. Firstly, SnS₂, ZnIn₂S₄ and UCNPs were assembled on the surface of the ITO electrode. Then Au NPs were dropped, which could facilitate the coupling of CdSe NPs modified DNA1 via Au-S bond, giving an ITO/SnS₂/ZnIn₂S₄/UCNPs/CdSe heterojunction structure. When irradiated with 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) light, the UV-visible light emitted by the UCNPs could excite the nanocomposite, producing an enhanced photoelectric reaction. Subsequently, CEA aptamer and DNA2-modified SiO₂ were added to form a Y-shaped DNA structure. At this time, the photocurrent was significantly reduced by the combination of the light-blocking effect of SiO₂ and the departure of CdSe NPs from the electrode surface. When the target CEA was added, the recognition between CEA and the aptamer led to the collapse of the Y-shaped DNA structure, the restoration of hairpin DNA and the proximity of CdSe to the electrode. Accordingly, the photocurrent signals enhanced again. Under optimal experimental conditions, the detection limit as low as 0.3 pg mL^-1 was obtained with good selectivity, achieving a sensitive "on-off-on" photoelectrochemical sensor for CEA detection.

Photoelectrochemical aptasensor based on La2Ti2O7/Sb2S3 and V2O5 for effectively signal change strategy for cancer marker detection

In this item, a high-efficiency signal "on-off-on" strategy photoelectrochemical (PEC) apatsensor was resoundingly developed for target ultrasensitive analysis. Primarily, the heterojunction formation between Cd: Sb₂S₃ and La₂Ti₂O₇ was contributed to the first "signal-on" state to improve the stability of the PEC platform. Secondly, V₂O₅ nanosphere act as a catalyst for H₂O₂ was used to label on aptamer DNA to consume electron donor for achieving "signal-off" state. Then target analyte was modified on the surface of the PEC platform, and part of V₂O₅ with aptamer DNA would be released from the aptasensor surface, thus, the "signal-on" state was realized again. In this signal "on-off-on" strategy, the PEC performance of perovskite La₂Ti₂O₇ was effectively perfected with Cd: Sb₂S₃ sensitization, and broaden the application of perovskite in PEC sensor field. And the signal attenuation and recovery strategy were distinctly elevated the sensitivity of the aptasensor. In the preferred detection conditions, the proposed PEC sensor for analyte (PSA as an example) analysis revealed a wide sensing range from 1.000 × 10^-5 to 500.0 ng/mL, own a low detection limit of 4.300 fg/mL. This smart response change mode also provide prospect for other target detection, and offer a reference to signal transform for other electrochemical method.

Hydrothermal synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots from gardenia fruit for sensitive on-off-on detection of Hg2+ and cysteine

Nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon dots (N/S-CDs) were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method using gardenia fruit as precursor. The N/S-CDs are nearly spherical particles with a size of 2.1 nm and possess excellent fluorescence stability in a wide pH range and high NaCl concentrations, as well as under UV light irradiation. The absolute quantum yield (QY) without any surface modification reaches up to 10.7%. Meanwhile, the N/S-CDs can be quenched by Hg²⁺ (turn-off), while the quenched fluorescence can be recovered (turn-on) by introducing cysteine (Cys), with linear ranges of 2-20 μM for Hg²⁺and 0.1-2.0 μM for Cys. On the basis of the on-off-on sensing mode, the N/S-CDs can be used to detect Hg²⁺ and Cys. Hence, the N/S-CDs would be a promising sensor in environmental and biological analysis.

Fluorescent assay based on phenyl-modified g-C3N4 nanosheets for determination of thiram

Phenyl-modified graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs) were synthesized by a thermal copolymerization and ultrasonic exfoliation method. The Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs are used as a fluorescent assay for determination of thiram. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, ¹³C solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectra confirm that phenyl group is integrated into the heptazine network of g-C₃N₄. Compared to the g-C₃N₄ NSs, the Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs show bigger stokes shift about 185 nm and higher fluorescence intensity. The fluorescence of Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs is quenched by Cu²⁺ via the photo-induced electron transfer mechanism, which then recovers in the presence of thiram. The fluorescence restoring of Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs is correlated with the concentration of thiram. Under the optimized conditions, the fluorescent intensity of g-C₃N₄ NSs at excitation/emission wavelengths of 310/455 nm give a linear range of 33.0-670 nM with detection limit of 9.90 nM. While fluorescent assay based on the Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs show the linear range of 6.70-1300 nM at excitation/emission wavelengths of 310/495 nm with detection limit of 2.01 nM. Graphical abstract Schematic representation of fluorescent "on-off-on" assay based on phenyl-modified graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (Ph-g-C₃N₄ NSs) for determination of thiram.

A peptide-based fluorescent sensor for selective imaging of glutathione in living cells and zebrafish

Monitoring and imaging glutathione (GSH) in living systems is an essential tool to determine the key roles of GSH in biological pathways, but most fluorescent sensors can only be used in vitro because of their potential biotoxicity. Here, a peptide-based fluorescent sensor, FP, has been successfully designed and synthesized based on the biocompatibility of the peptide backbone and low toxicity. The design strategy of FP contains a specific spatial structure of the peptide sequence which selectively binds to Cu²⁺, triggering fluorescence quenching. Interestingly, the fluorescence of FP can be fully restored by GSH, due to the strong binding between Cu²⁺ and the GSH sulfhydryl groups. Finally, the sensor is highly sensitive and selective for imaging GSH both in vitro and in vivo with low toxicity. Thus, FP with its strong "on-off-on" fluorescence changes is a powerful way to image GSH both in cells and zebrafish larvae to study the GSH pathway.

Photoluminescent coral-like carbon-branched polymers as nanoprobe for fluorometric determination of captopril

The authors describe the synthesis of fluorescent coral-like carbon nano-branched polymers (PCNBPs) co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus. Uric acid and phosphoric acid act as nitrogen and phosphorus sources, respectively. The PCNBPs have a coral-like branched structure, are cross-connected, and < 20 nm in skeleton diameter. Their blue fluorescence, best measured at excitation/emission wavelengths of 330/425 nm, is quenched by mercury (II) ions due to the specifically restricted rigid conformation caused by the interaction of phosphorus, nitrogen, and oxygen groups on the surface of the PCNBPs. Fluorescence is selectivity quenched by Hg(II) but restored in addition of the hypertension drug captopril (CAP) in the range 50 nM to 40 μM concentration range. Fluorescence recovery is attributed to the effectively specific interactions between the thiol group of CAP and Hg(II). The method was applied to the determination of the concentration of Cap in pharmaceutical samples, and recoveries were between 97.6 and 105.1%. Graphical abstract Fluorescent coral-like carbon nano-branched polymers (PCNBPs) co-doped with nitrogen and phosphorus are described. Their fluorescence is selectivity quenched by Hg(II) but restored in addition of the hypertension drug captopril (Cap) in the range 50 nM to 40 μM concentration range.

Highly fluorescent carbon dots as selective and sensitive "on-off-on" probes for iron(III) ion and apoferritin detection and imaging in living cells

Highly blue luminescent nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CDs) with a fluorescence quantum yield of 42.3% were prepared by an efficient one-step pyrolytic route from ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and urea. The as-synthesized N-CDs were demonstrated as an effective fluorescent probe for label-free, selective and sensitive recognition of Fe(3+) with a linear range of 0.5μM to 2mM and a detection limit of 13.6nM due to Fe(3+)-quenched fluorescence (turn-off). The quenched fluorescence could be turned on after the addition of apoferritin owing to the removal of ferric species from the surface of N-CDs by apoferritin, making complex N-CDs/Fe(3+) a selective apoferritin probe with a linear range of 0.1-25μM and a detection limit as low as 2.6nM. In addition, the application of this novel N-CDs-based probe for imaging Fe(3+) ions and apoferritin in living cells suggest that this sensing system has great potential applications in biosensing, bioimaging, and many other fields.

One-pot hydrothermal route to fabricate nitrogen doped graphene/Ag-TiO2: Efficient charge separation, and high-performance "on-off-on" switch system based photoelectrochemical biosensing

Charge separation is crucial for increasing the performances of semiconductor-based materials in many photoactive applications. In this paper, we designed novel nanocomposites consisting of TiO2 nanocrystals, Ag nanoparticles (NPs) and nitrogen doped graphene (NGR) via a facile one-pot hydrothermal route. The as-prepared ternary nanocomposites exhibited enhanced photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances owing to the introduction of Ag NPs and NGR, which increase the excitons' lifetime and improve the charge transfer. In particular, it is shown by means of the transient-state surface photocurrent responses that the photocurrent intensity of the as-fabricated composites exhibited 18.2 times higher than that of pristine TiO2. Based on the robust photocurrent signal, a new kind of "on-off-on" PEC aptasensor was established with the assistance of Pb(2+) aptamer, which integrates the advantages of low background signal and high sensitivity. Under optimal conditions, a wide linear response for Pb(2+) detection was obtained from 1pM to 5nM as well as a detection limit down to 0.3pM. With its simplicity, selectivity, and sensitivity, this proposed strategy shows great promise for Pb(2+) detection in food and environment analysis.