Chemosensors

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14 pages, 1793 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Environmental Pollution Monitoring via Capillary Zone Electrophoresis and UHPLC Simultaneous Quantification of Some Antipsychotic Drug Residues in Industrial Wastewater Effluents

by Alhumaidi B. Alabbas, Rachid Slimani, Imane El Ouahabi, Abdelkader Zarrouk, Said Lazar, Rachid Azzallou, Noha F. Shalaby and Sherif A. Abdel-Gawad

Chemosensors 2024, 12(7), 123; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12070123 - 2 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 862

Abstract

Monitoring and measuring pharmaceutical pollutants in environmental samples is a vital and complex task due to their potential detrimental effects on human health, even at low levels. Using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), it was possible to separate and [...] Read more.

Monitoring and measuring pharmaceutical pollutants in environmental samples is a vital and complex task due to their potential detrimental effects on human health, even at low levels. Using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC), it was possible to separate and measure three commonly used antipsychotic drugs, chlorpromazine (CPZ), haloperidol (HAL), and risperidone (RIS), in wastewater of the pharmaceutical industry. The technique of solid-phase extraction (SPE) was developed and implemented as a very effective method for preparing samples prior to analysis. The settings of the capillary electrophoretic and chromatographic techniques were adjusted to obtain the most efficient separation profile for the medications being studied. The concentration of all the medicines being investigated ranged from 0.5 to 50 µg/mL. SPE was used to treat real wastewater samples after a thorough validation process that followed the rules set by ICH-Q2B. The developed assays were then effectively employed to identify the tested antipsychotic substances in the real wastewater samples. The provided methodologies may be efficiently utilized to monitor the extent of environmental contamination caused by the investigated pharmaceuticals. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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20 pages, 5919 KiB

Open AccessArticle

First Direct Gravimetric Detection of Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid (PFOS) Water Contaminants, Combination with Electrical Measurements on the Same Device—Proof of Concepts

by George R. Ivanov, Tony Venelinov, Yordan G. Marinov, Georgi B. Hadjichristov, Andreas Terfort, Melinda David, Monica Florescu and Selcan Karakuş

Chemosensors 2024, 12(7), 116; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12070116 - 22 Jun 2024

Viewed by 1078

Abstract

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pollutants of concern due to their long-term persistence in the environment and human health effects. Among them, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is very ubiquitous and dangerous for health. Currently, the detection levels required by the legislation can [...] Read more.

Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are pollutants of concern due to their long-term persistence in the environment and human health effects. Among them, perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) is very ubiquitous and dangerous for health. Currently, the detection levels required by the legislation can be achieved only with expensive laboratory equipment. Hence, there is a need for portable, in-field, and possibly real-time detection. Optical and electrochemical transduction mechanisms are mainly used for the chemical sensors. Here, we report the first gravimetric detection of small-sized molecules like PFOS (MW 500) dissolved in water. A 100 MHz quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measured at the third harmonic and an even more sensitive 434 MHz two-port surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonator with gold electrodes were used as transducers. The PFOS selective sensing layer was prepared from the metal organic framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr). Its nano-sized thickness and structure were optimized using the discreet Langmuir–Blodgett (LB) film deposition method. This is the first time that LB multilayers from bulk MOFs have been prepared. The measured frequency downshifts of around 220 kHz per 1 µmol/L of PFOS, a SAW resonator-loaded Q_L-factor above 2000, and reaction times in the minutes’ range are highly promising for an in-field sensor reaching the water safety directives. Additionally, we use the micrometer-sized interdigitated electrodes of the SAW resonator to strongly enhance the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the PFOS contamination. Thus, for the first time, we combine the ultra-sensitive gravimetry of small molecules in a water environment with electrical measurements on a single device. This combination provides additional sensor selectivity. Control tests against a bare resonator and two similar compounds prove the concept’s viability. All measurements were performed with pocket-sized tablet-powered devices, thus making the system highly portable and field-deployable. While here we focus on one of the emerging water contaminants, this concept with a different selective coating can be used for other new contaminants. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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17 pages, 4992 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Potentiometric Phosphate Ion Sensor Based on Electrochemically Modified All-Solid-State Copper Electrode for Phosphate Ions’ Detection in Real Water

by Yang He, Chenhua Han, Hao Du, Ying Ye and Chunhui Tao

Chemosensors 2024, 12(4), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12040053 - 1 Apr 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2132

Abstract

The importance of phosphates has sparked researchers’ considerable interest in the electrochemical detection of phosphates within aqueous solutions in recent years. In this study, we present a novel all-solid-state phosphate ion-selective electrode (ISE) that integrates copper, copper nanoparticles, and copper phosphate. By modifying [...] Read more.

The importance of phosphates has sparked researchers’ considerable interest in the electrochemical detection of phosphates within aqueous solutions in recent years. In this study, we present a novel all-solid-state phosphate ion-selective electrode (ISE) that integrates copper, copper nanoparticles, and copper phosphate. By modifying the copper substrate of the electrode with a copper nanoparticle film and creating a lamellar copper phosphate film through electrochemical treatment, we significantly enhanced the electrode’s electron transfer efficiency. This microstructure with large specific surface area markedly improved the electrode’s responsiveness to the targeted ions by accelerating the achievement of chemical equilibrium on the electrode surface, thereby boosting its sensitivity and stability. The newly developed electrode was capable of detecting phosphate ions in solutions with a pH range from 6 to 11 and performed optimally in neutral solutions at pH 7, following Nernst principle, with a detection limit of 1 ×

10^{- 6}

M. The electrode exhibited a short response time of less than 10 s with significant reproducibility, stability, longevity—maintaining functionality for more than two months. It also displayed good selectivity as the electrochemical equilibrium was not influenced by up to 1 mM of potential competing species like

{HCO}_{3}^{-}

,

{NO}_{3}^{-}

,

{Cl}^{-}

and

{SO}_{4}^{2 -}

. We compared the detection results of current phosphate ion sensor and conventional determination methods for phosphate content in natural lake and aquaculture water samples, with a detection discrepancy of about 10% (RSD). Considering all feasible performance characteristics combined with its low cost, simple manufacture and portability, the sensor provides a new possibility for rapid, reliable, and long-term real-time in situ detection of phosphates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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14 pages, 2777 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of WO₃ and BiVO₄ Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Sensing of Xylene, Toluene and Methanol

by Milda Petruleviciene, Irena Savickaja, Jurga Juodkazyte and Arunas Ramanavicius

Chemosensors 2023, 11(11), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11110552 - 1 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2019

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a notable group of indoor air pollutants released by household products. These substances are commonly employed as solvents in industrial operations, and some of them are recognized or suspected to be cancer-causing or mutagenic agents. Due to their [...] Read more.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a notable group of indoor air pollutants released by household products. These substances are commonly employed as solvents in industrial operations, and some of them are recognized or suspected to be cancer-causing or mutagenic agents. Due to their high volatility, VOCs are typically present in surface waters at concentrations below a few micrograms per liter. However, in groundwater, their concentrations can reach levels up to thousands of times higher. This study analyses the applicability of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensing of VOCs in aqueous medium. Tungsten oxide and bismuth vanadate photoanodes were tested for PEC sensing of xylene, toluene, and methanol in sodium chloride and sodium sulfate electrolytes. The crystalline structure and morphology of coatings were analyzed using XRD and SEM analyses. Photoelectrochemical properties were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of the study show that aromatic compounds tend to block the surface of the photoelectrode and interfere with the PEC sensing of other substances. WO₃ photoanode is found to be suitable for the PEC sensing of methanol under the mild conditions in aqueous electrolytes; however, electrode engineering and assay optimization are required to achieve better detection limits. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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13 pages, 1224 KiB

Open AccessArticle

One-Step Chemiluminescent Assay for Hydrogen Peroxide Analysis in Water

by Ahlem Teniou, Ibrahim A. Madi, Riane Mouhoub, Jean Louis Marty and Amina Rhouati

Chemosensors 2023, 11(8), 455; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11080455 - 14 Aug 2023

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2231

Abstract

The detection of hydrogen peroxide is of great importance in the environmental field. For this, a homogeneous technique has been developed here for sensitive and rapid quantification of hydrogen peroxide. In this technique, hemoglobin was used as a bioreceptor, where heme groups acted [...] Read more.

The detection of hydrogen peroxide is of great importance in the environmental field. For this, a homogeneous technique has been developed here for sensitive and rapid quantification of hydrogen peroxide. In this technique, hemoglobin was used as a bioreceptor, where heme groups acted as electroactive centers to catalyze hydrogen peroxide reduction. The chemiluminescence reagent luminol is also a peroxidase substrate and can be oxidized by hemoglobin—thus generating a CL signal. The principle of the designed biosensor was based on the competition between hydrogen peroxide and luminol towards hemoglobin. Under optimized conditions, the chemiluminescent signal decreased with increasing hemoglobin concentrations within the linear range of 0.5 to 12 mM, with a correlation coefficient R² of 0.99762. The limit of detection was calculated to be as low as 0.308 mM. The selectivity of the biosensor was successfully demonstrated against different interferents. The developed strategy provides a one step, simple, and low-cost bioanalytical method which can be applied for the monitoring of other peroxidase substrates. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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15 pages, 5230 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Dinitrophenol-Based Colorimetric Chemosensor for Sequential Cu²⁺ and S²⁻ Detection

by Hyejin Nam, Sungjin Moon, Dongkyun Gil and Cheal Kim

Chemosensors 2023, 11(2), 143; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11020143 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2296

Abstract

A dinitrophenol-based colorimetric chemosensor sequentially sensing Cu²⁺ and S²⁻, HDHT ((E)-2-(2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrobenzylidene)hydrazineyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxoethan-1-aminium), was designed and synthesized. The HDHT selectively detected Cu²⁺ through a color change of yellow to colorless. The calculated detection limit of the HDHT [...] Read more.

A dinitrophenol-based colorimetric chemosensor sequentially sensing Cu²⁺ and S²⁻, HDHT ((E)-2-(2-(2-hydroxy-3,5-dinitrobenzylidene)hydrazineyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxoethan-1-aminium), was designed and synthesized. The HDHT selectively detected Cu²⁺ through a color change of yellow to colorless. The calculated detection limit of the HDHT for Cu²⁺ was 6.4 × 10⁻² μM. In the interference test, the HDHT was not considerably inhibited by various metal ions in its detection of Cu²⁺. The chelation ratio of the HDHT to Cu²⁺ was determined as 1:1 by using a Job plot and ESI-MS experiment. In addition, the HDHT–Cu²⁺ complex showed that its color selectively returned to yellow only in the presence of S²⁻. The detection limit of the HDHT–Cu²⁺ complex for S²⁻ was calculated to be 1.2 × 10⁻¹ μM. In the inhibition experiment for S²⁻, the HDHT–Cu²⁺ complex did not significantly interfere with other anions. In the real water-sample test, the detection performance of the HDHT for Cu²⁺ and S²⁻ was successfully examined. The detection features of HDHT for Cu²⁺ and the HDHT–Cu²⁺ for S²⁻ were suggested by the Job plot, UV–Vis, ESI-MS, FT-IR spectroscopy, and DFT calculations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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Review

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25 pages, 5418 KiB

Open AccessReview

Aptasensors for the Detection of Environmental Contaminants of High Concern in Water Bodies: A Systematic Review

by Eduardo Canek Reynoso, Patrick Severin Sfragano, Mario González-Perea, Ilaria Palchetti and Eduardo Torres

Chemosensors 2024, 12(4), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors12040059 - 9 Apr 2024

Viewed by 2073

Abstract

With the advancement of technology and increasing industrial activity, anthropogenic contaminants are currently detected where there is no record of their presence or insufficient information about their toxicological impact. Consequently, there are not sufficiently robust local or global regulations, the ecotoxicological and human [...] Read more.

With the advancement of technology and increasing industrial activity, anthropogenic contaminants are currently detected where there is no record of their presence or insufficient information about their toxicological impact. Consequently, there are not sufficiently robust local or global regulations, the ecotoxicological and human health risks are critical, and they may not be routinely monitored despite being ubiquitous. The interest in studying environmental contaminants, including micropollutants and emerging contaminants, in complex environmental water samples has grown in the last decade. Due to the concentrations in which they are typically found in the environment and the rapid global dispersion, the detection procedures for these substances must be capable of measuring very low concentrations. Many efforts have been made to improve remediation procedures or develop novel analytical methods for their determination. Although there are several robust and reliable standard analytical techniques for their monitoring, pollutant contamination requires simple and inexpensive methods for massive, in situ monitoring campaigns. In this regard, biosensors have emerged as devices with high selectivity, sensitivity, easy operation, and short analysis times. Aptasensors are biosensors based on a nucleic acid recognition element (aptamer). Due to their synthetic nature, stability, and easy production, aptamers are frequently employed to develop bioassays. This work presents a systematic review of the trends in using aptasensors for detecting environmental contaminants present in environmental water samples, as well as the estimation of the potential technological contribution these devices might give to environmental monitoring. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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25 pages, 6186 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Electrospun Nanofibers as Chemosensors for Detecting Environmental Pollutants: A Review

by Yutong Du, Deng-Guang Yu and Tao Yi

Chemosensors 2023, 11(4), 208; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11040208 - 25 Mar 2023

Cited by 31 | Viewed by 4868

Abstract

Electrospun nanofibers have shown their advantages for applications in a wide variety of scientific fields thanks to their unique properties. Meanwhile, electrospinning is closely following the fast development of nano science and nanotechnology to move forward to smaller (pico-technology), more complicated nanostructures/nanodevices and [...] Read more.

Electrospun nanofibers have shown their advantages for applications in a wide variety of scientific fields thanks to their unique properties. Meanwhile, electrospinning is closely following the fast development of nano science and nanotechnology to move forward to smaller (pico-technology), more complicated nanostructures/nanodevices and more order (all kinds of nano arrays). Particularly, multiple-fluid electrospinning has the strong capability of creating nanostructures from a structural spinneret in a single-step and a straightforward “top-down” manner, holding great promise for creation on a large scale. This review is just to conclude the state-of-art studies on the related topics and also point out that the future directions of environmental detection require chemosensors, while the improvement of sensors requires new chemically synthesized functional substances, new nanostructured materials, application convenience, and functional integration or synergy. Based on the developments of electrospinning, more and more possibilities can be drawn out for detecting environmental pollutants with electrospun nanostructures as the strong support platform. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Analytical Methods for Environmental Monitoring)

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