Advances in Nanocomposite Luminescent Sensors

A special issue of Chemosensors (ISSN 2227-9040). This special issue belongs to the section "Optical Chemical Sensors".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2024) | Viewed by 11934

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Department of Biology, Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Interests: relationship between the molecular surface chemistry and macroscopic properties of materials

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Nanocomposite materials exhibit different properties from both individual atoms and bulk properties in a material.  Understanding both physical and chemical characteristics of the materials lead to fabricating various luminescent nanocomposites with enriched host-guest features tailored for the detection of various chemical and biological samples.  Because of the variety of the topics covered on luminescent nanocomposites in terms of pore structure with designed morphology, compositional variations, surface properties and functionalities, there is a great deal of interests in materials modification to tailor unique and stable luminescent sensors for industrial, environmental, and biomedical applications. 

We invite active scientists and engineers with research interest focused on nanocomposite materials as luminescent probes to contribute to this special issue with original research papers, short communications, and critical reviews.

Prof. Dr. Sofian Kanan
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • luminescent sensors
  • nanocomposites
  • fluorophores
  • guest-host
  • nanoparticles
  • luminescent chemosensors
  • biosensing and bioimaging
  • metal ion detection
  • cell tracking

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 3314 KiB  
Article
Organic Luminescent Sensor for Mercury(II) and Iron(III) Ions in Aqueous Solutions
by Sofian Kanan, Aysha Shabnam, Ahmed A. Mohamed and Imad A. Abu-Yousef
Chemosensors 2023, 11(5), 308; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11050308 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1472
Abstract
The substrate N1, N3, N5-tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (Sensor A) was prepared in the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimesic acid) and o-aminophenol in ethanol. The prepared organic sensor fulfills the chemiluminescent requirements including a luminophore, spacer, and [...] Read more.
The substrate N1, N3, N5-tris(2-hydroxyphenyl)benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (Sensor A) was prepared in the reaction of 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylic acid (trimesic acid) and o-aminophenol in ethanol. The prepared organic sensor fulfills the chemiluminescent requirements including a luminophore, spacer, and suitable binding receptor that distress the probe’s luminescent features, providing selective and sensitive detection of mercury and iron ions in aqueous solutions. The sensor selectively detects mercury and iron ions in a water matrix containing various metal ions, including sodium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and nickel. Strong and immediate binding was observed between mercury ions and the substrate at pH 7.0 with a binding affinity toward Hg2+ 9-fold higher than that observed for iron sensor binding affinity, which makes the substrate a distinctive luminescence sensor for mercury detection at ambient conditions. The sensor shows a linear response toward Hg2+ in the concentration range from 50 ppb to 100 ppm (2.0 × 10−8 to 4.2 × 10−5 M) with a limit of detection of 2 ppb (1.0 × 10−8 M). Further, Sensor A provides linear detection for iron ions in the range from 10 ppb to 1000 ppm (1.5 × 10−8 to 1.5 × 10−3 M). The measured adsorption capacity of Sensor A toward mercury ions ranged from 1.25 to 1.97 mg/g, and the removal efficiency from water samples reached 98.8% at pH 7.0. The data demonstrate that Sensor A is an excellent probe for detecting and removing mercury ions from water bodies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanocomposite Luminescent Sensors)
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11 pages, 3109 KiB  
Article
A Laser-Printed Surface-Enhanced Photoluminescence Sensor for the Sub-Nanomolar Optical Detection of Mercury in Water
by Yulia Borodaenko, Stanislav Gurbatov, Evgeny Modin, Aleksandr Chepak, Mikhail Tutov, Aleksandr Mironenko and Aleksandr Kuchmizhak
Chemosensors 2023, 11(5), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11050307 - 20 May 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1603
Abstract
Here, we report a novel, easy-to-implement scalable single-step procedure for the fabrication of a solid-state surface-enhanced photoluminescence (SEPL) sensor via the direct femtosecond (fs) laser patterning of monocrystalline Si wafers placed under the layer of functionalizing solution simultaneously containing a metal salt precursor [...] Read more.
Here, we report a novel, easy-to-implement scalable single-step procedure for the fabrication of a solid-state surface-enhanced photoluminescence (SEPL) sensor via the direct femtosecond (fs) laser patterning of monocrystalline Si wafers placed under the layer of functionalizing solution simultaneously containing a metal salt precursor (AgNO3) and a photoluminescent probe (d114). Such laser processing creates periodically modulated micro- and nanostructures decorated with Ag nanoparticles on the Si surface, which effectively adsorbs and retains the photoluminescent sensor layer. The SEPL effect stimulated by the micro- and nanostructures formed on the Si surface localizing pump radiation within the near-surface layer and surface plasmons supported by the decorating Ag nanoparticles is responsible for the intense optical sensory response modulated by a small amount of analyte species. The produced SEPL sensor operating within a fluidic device was found to detect sub-nanomolar concentrations of Hg2+ in water which is two orders of magnitude lower compared to this molecular probe sensitivity in solution. The fabrication technique is upscalable, inexpensive, and flexible regarding the ability to the control surface nano-morphology, the amount and type of loading noble-metal nanoparticles, as well as the type of molecular probe. This opens up pathways for the on-demand development of various multi-functional chemosensing platforms with expanded functionality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanocomposite Luminescent Sensors)
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17 pages, 2868 KiB  
Article
A Europium-Based Optical Sensor for the Detection of Carbon Dioxide and Its Application for a Fermentation Reaction
by Erin N. Benton, Nawagamu A. K. Rajitha Perera, Vladimir N. Nesterov, Wijayantha Perera, Mohammad A. Omary and Sreekar B. Marpu
Chemosensors 2023, 11(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11010005 - 21 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2155
Abstract
A new europium-based complex, K[Eu(hfa)4] with hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate is synthesized and its structure confirmed via X-ray crystallography. The structure unravels an anionic octa-coordinate complex, K[Eu(hfa)4], as opposed to the neutral hexacoordinate complex Eu(hfa)3 routinely/ubiquitously presumed to be [...] Read more.
A new europium-based complex, K[Eu(hfa)4] with hfa = hexafluoroacetylacetonate is synthesized and its structure confirmed via X-ray crystallography. The structure unravels an anionic octa-coordinate complex, K[Eu(hfa)4], as opposed to the neutral hexacoordinate complex Eu(hfa)3 routinely/ubiquitously presumed to be the case in the literature. The complex displayed pH-dependent, “on–off” emission changes in solution and exhibited a pKa of 6.13 ± 0.06 in ethylene glycol. In solution, the sensor complex exhibited drastic variation in emission intensity corresponding to changes in the concentration of CO2 gas purged. Based on multiple purge cycles of N2 and CO2, the emission intensity changes can be correlated to the concentration of CO2 in the solution. The sensor’s ability to quantify the CO2 presence is based on emission variations of the 5D07F2 line in the Eu(III) complex at 618 nm. The sensor exhibits a linear response to CO2 concentrations in the range of 0–25% (0–8.50 mM or 0–189.95 mmHg). Based on calibration data, the limit of detection (LOD) is determined to be 0.57% (0.19 mM or 4.33 mmHg) in solution. The I100/I0 ratio is determined to be 80.29 ± 3.79. The percent change in intensity from purging N2 to 100% CO2 is 7911.16%. Over the course of seven cycles of purging different concentrations of CO2, there is essentially no deviation in the emission intensity of the sensor in solution, indicating stability and reversibility. In addition to the analytical characterization of the sensor, the mechanism of CO2 sensing is investigated using cyclic voltammetry, IR, and Raman spectroscopy. These data indicate the reduction of europium(III) to europium(II) in an alkaline medium and suggest changes in the hfa ligand chemistry (association/dissociation and protonation) due to CO2 purging. The potential use of the sensor complex for real-life applications is herein evaluated via a well-known fermentation reaction. The CO2 generated during yeast’s anaerobic respiration in sucrose media is quantified using the sensor complex and a calibrated, commercial CO2 probe; both exhibit similar CO2 concentration values, validating the calibration curve and the viability of the complex as a bona fide sensor. Based on the data collected, a highly stable, brightly red-emissive Eu(III) complex with the ability to differentiate concentrations of CO2 in solution is hereby developed and characterized with benefits for various CO2 sensing applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanocomposite Luminescent Sensors)
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16 pages, 4347 KiB  
Article
Detecting CdSe Nanomaterials with a Fluorescent Schiff Base Ligand
by Jesús Sanmartín-Matalobos, Pilar Bermejo-Barrera, Ignacio Pérez-Juste, Matilde Fondo, Ana M. García-Deibe and Yeneva Alves-Iglesias
Chemosensors 2022, 10(10), 394; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10100394 - 28 Sep 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1955
Abstract
We investigated the easily synthesized ligand H3L as a fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of CdSe nanoparticles (CdSe NPs) and L-cysteine-capped CdSe quantum dots (CdSe-Cys QDs) in ethanol–water samples. A drastic quenching of the fluorescence emission of H3L at [...] Read more.
We investigated the easily synthesized ligand H3L as a fluorescent chemosensor for the detection of CdSe nanoparticles (CdSe NPs) and L-cysteine-capped CdSe quantum dots (CdSe-Cys QDs) in ethanol–water samples. A drastic quenching of the fluorescence emission of H3L at 510 nm occurred, as a result of the addition of CdSe NPs and CdSe-Cys QDs. A solution of H3L (1.26 ppb) showed sensitive responses to both CdSe NPs and CdSe-Cys QDs, with limits of detection (LOD) as low as 40 and 62 ppb, respectively. Moreover, using a smartphone color recognizer application, the fluorescence intensity response of H3L-modified cellulose paper to CdSe-Cys QDs was recorded on a red channel (R), which allowed us to detect CdSe-Cys QDs with LOD = 15 ppb. Interference of some common metal nanomaterials (NMs), as well as metal ions, in the determination of CdSe NMs in solution was studied. The affinity of H3L to CdSe NPs and CdSe-Cys QDs was spectroscopically determined. Scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX), micro-X-ray fluorescence (µ-XRF), 1H-NMR, attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR-IR), and density functional theory (DFT) were also used to investigate the interaction of H3L with CdSe NMs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanocomposite Luminescent Sensors)
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Review

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30 pages, 2386 KiB  
Review
Fluorescent Quantum Dots and Its Composites for Highly Sensitive Detection of Heavy Metal Ions and Pesticide Residues: A Review
by Zhezhe Wang, Bo Yao, Yawei Xiao, Xu Tian and Yude Wang
Chemosensors 2023, 11(7), 405; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors11070405 - 19 Jul 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3853
Abstract
Quantum dots nanomaterials have attracted extensive interest for fluorescence chemical sensors due their attributes, such as excellent optical characteristics, quantum size effects, interface effects, etc. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of quantum dots can be adjusted by changing their structure, size, morphology, composition, doping, [...] Read more.
Quantum dots nanomaterials have attracted extensive interest for fluorescence chemical sensors due their attributes, such as excellent optical characteristics, quantum size effects, interface effects, etc. Moreover, the fluorescence properties of quantum dots can be adjusted by changing their structure, size, morphology, composition, doping, and surface modification. In recent years, quantum dots nanomaterials have been considered the preferred sensing materials for the detection of heavy metal ions and pesticide residues by the interactions between quantum dots and various analytes, showing excellent sensitivity, selectivity, and interference, as well as reducing the cost of equipment compared with traditional measurement methods. In this review, the applications and sensing mechanisms of semiconductor quantum dots and carbon-based quantum dots are comprehensively discussed. The application of semiconductor quantum dots, carbon quantum dots, graphene quantum dots, and their nanocomposites that are utilized as fluorescence sensors are discussed in detailed, and the properties of various quantum dots for heavy metal ion and pesticide residue determination are also presented. The recent advances in and application perspectives regarding quantum dots and their composites are also summarized. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Nanocomposite Luminescent Sensors)
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