Zr(H2O)2EDTA modulated luminescent carbon dots as fluorescent probes for fluoride detection.

A novel fluorescent probe (Zr(CDs-COO)(2)EDTA) has been designed for fluoride ion (F(-)) content detection based on the competitive ligand reactions carried out between the carboxylate groups (-COOH) on the surface of the luminescent carbon dots (CDs) and F(-) coordinated to Zr(H(2)O)(2)EDTA. The strong and stable fluorescence signal of this probe was quenched upon the addition of F(-) as a result of the formation of the non-fluorescent complex Zr(F)(2)EDTA, due to the stronger affinity of F(-) than the -COOH in the CDs to Zr(IV). The fluorescence change (ΔF) in this process was linear with respect to the content of F(-), ranging from 0.10 µM to 10 µM. The probe has been applied to F(-) detection in toothpaste and water samples with satisfactory results. Moreover, the mechanism of this Zr(H(2)O)(2)EDTA modulated fluorescent probe for the detection of F(-) was also discussed.

Coupling technique of self-ordered ring and phosphorimetry for the determination of alkaline phosphatase and diseases prediction.

Rhodamine S could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on polyamide membrane (PAM) in the presence of heavy atom perturber Pb(2+). When Rhodamine S-piperidine solution was dropped on PAM, the red (Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR (Rhod.S, (Rhod.S)(n), P and SOR refer to alizarin red S, multiple Rhod.S molecules, piperidine and self-ordered ring, respectively) formed on PAM, leading to the enhancement of room temperature phosphorimetry (RTP) intensity (I(p), 117.2) of (Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR system, which was 2.4 times higher than that without SOR (I(p), 48.1). Wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) was labelled with (Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR by the -NH- of Rhod.S reacting with the -COOH of WGA to form WGA-(Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR. The formation of WGA-AP-WGA-(Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR in the affinity adsorption (AA) reaction carried out between the -COOH of WGA in WGA-(Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR and the -NH(2) of alkaline phosphatase (AP) caused the RTP intensity (ΔI(p)) of the WGA-AP-WGA-(Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR system 7.8 times larger than that without (Rhod.S)(n)-P-SOR. Therefore, the coupling technique of SOR and solid substrate-room temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) for the determination of trace AP has been established. This method possessed good selectivity, high sensitivity (Detection limit (L.D) was 3.4×10(-16)gmL(-1)) and accuracy, and it has been applied to the determination of trace AP in human serum and the forecast of human diseases, and the results agreed well with those obtained by enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). Besides, the mechanism of the coupling technique for the determination of AP was discussed.

Highly selective and sensitive detection of Cu2+ with lysine enhancing bovine serum albumin modified-carbon dots fluorescent probe.

Based on the ability of lysine (Lys) to enhance the fluorescence intensity of bovine serum albumin modified-carbon dots (CDs-BSA) to decrease surface defects and quench fluorescence of the CDs-BSA-Lys system in the presence of Cu(2+) under conditions of phosphate buffer (PBS, pH = 5.0) at 45 °C for 10 min, a sensitive Lys enhancing CDs-BSA fluorescent probe was designed. The environment-friendly, simple, rapid, selective and sensitive fluorescent probe has been utilized to detect Cu(2+) in hair and tap water samples and it achieved consistent results with those obtained by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). The mechanism of the proposed assay for the detection of Cu(2+) is discussed.

A highly sensitive coupling technique for the determination of trace quercetin based on solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry and poly (vinyl alcohol) complex imprinting.

Al(3+) could react with quercetin (Q) to form [AlQ](3+) complex which could be used as a template for the preparation of poly (vinyl alcohol)-[AlQ](3+) complex imprinting (PVA-C-I). The [AlQ](3+) not only had good matching ability and selectivity with the cavity of PVA-C-I, but also could react with the fluorescein isothiocyanate anion (FITC(-)) on the outside of cavity by electrostatic interaction to form ion-association complex [AlQ](3+)·[(FITC)(-)](3). The ion-association complex could emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on polyamide membrane (PAM) and the ΔI(p) of the system had linear relationship with the content of Q, showing the highly selective identification of PVA-C-I to Q. Thus, a new coupling technique for the determination of trace Q based on solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry and poly (vinyl alcohol) complex imprinting (PVA-C-I-SSRTP) was established. The linear range and limit of detection (LOD) of this method were 0.010-2.0 (×10(-12) g mL(-1)) and 2.0×10(-14) g mL(-1), respectively, showing wide linear range and high sensitivity of PVA-C-I-SSRTP. This method was used to determine the content of Q in waste water, and the results are consistent with those by spectrofluorimetry. Meanwhile, the mechanism for the determination of Q using PVA-C-I-SSRTP was also discussed.

Catalytic solid substrate-room-temperature phosphorimetry detection for trace cadmium with Cd2+ -3.5-generation polyamidoamine dendrimer-Tween-80 complex.

3.5-Generation polyamidoamine dendrimers (3.5-G-D) emitted strong and stable room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on filter paper when Pb2+ was used as a heavy atom perturber. The RTP signal of 3.5-G-D was sharply enhanced upon the formation of 3.5-G-D-Tween-80 micelle compound. The complex Cd2+ -3.5-G-D-Tween-80, generated in the coordination reaction between Cd2+ and the tertiary amidocyanogen on the outer layer of 3.5-G-D in 3.5-G-D-Tween-80 micelle compound, could catalyze KBrO3 to oxidize 3.5-G-D in 3.5-G-D-Tween-80, which caused the sharp quenching of the RTP signal of the system. The phosphorescence intensity change (ΔI(p) ) of the system had a linear relationship with the content of Cd2+. Thus a new catalytic solid substrate-room-temperature phosphorimetry (SS-RTP) for the determination of trace cadmium has been established. This highly selective and sensitive method has been applied to determine trace cadmium in biological samples with a limit of detection (LD) of 1.2 ag per spot (when the sample volume was 0.4 µL per spot, the corresponding concentration was 3.0 × 10(-15) g mL(-1) ), the results agreeing with those obtained by atomic absorption spectrometry. The mechanism of catalytic SS-RTP for the determination of trace cadmium was also discussed.

A colorimetric probe for online analysis of sulfide based on the red shifts of longitudinal surface plasmon resonance absorption resulting from the stripping of gold nanorods.

A gold nanorods (GNRs) nonaggregation-based colorimetric probe has been developed for the detection of S(2-) based on that the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance absorption wavelength (LPAW) of GNRs red shifts (Δλ) and the color of the solution distinctly changes on account of the faster stripping of GNRs along longitudinal axis than transverse axis in the process of GNRs reacting with S(2-) ions to form Au(2)S complexes on the GNRs surfaces. The GNRs probe exhibits highly sensitive and selective response toward S(2-) with a wide linear range from 10.0 to 10000.0 µM. The proposed colorimetric probe can be used to visibly detect S(2-) in water samples on line in 15 min with the results agreeing well with those of the optical sensor, showing its great practicality. Moreover, the detection mechanism of the probe is also discussed.

Catalytic solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry for the determination of trace rhamnose based on its condensation reaction with calcein.

Calcein (R) could not only emit strong and stable room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) on filter paper using I(-) as perturber, but also could be oxidized by H(2)O(2) to form a non-phosphorescence compound (R'), resulting in the quenching of RTP signal of R. Moreover, the ortho-hydrogen of phenolic hydroxyl in R took condensation reaction with rhamnose (Rha) to produce non-phosphorescence compound (R-Rha) causing the RTP signal of R to further quench, and R-Rha was oxidized by H(2)O(2) to form R' and Rha, bringing about the sharp RTP signal quenching of R. Thus, a new solid substrate room temperature phosphorimetry (SSRTP) for the determination of trace Rha based on its strong catalytic effect on H(2)O(2) oxidizing R has been established, with the detection limit (LD) of 7.8zgspot(-1) (corresponding concentration: 2.0×10(-17) gm l(-1), sample volume: 0.40 µl spot(-1)). This method has been applied to determine trace Rha in cigarettes and jujubes, with the results coinciding well with those determined by a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The component of R-Rha also was analyzed by means of HPLC, mass spectrometer and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements. The mechanism of catalytic SSRTP for the determination of trace Rha was discussed.

catena-Poly[[dichloridozinc(II)]-µ-[1,1'-(butane-1,4-di-yl)diimidazole-κN:N]].

The title one-dimensional coordination polymer, [ZnCl(2)(C(10)H(14)N(4))](n), was synthesized by hydro-thermal methods from ZnCl(2) and 1,1'-(butane-1,4-di-yl)diimidazole. The Zn atom is coordinated by two chloride ions and two N atoms from two symmetry-independent organic ligands and shows a distorted tetra-hedral coordination geometry. The 1,1'-(butane-1,4-di-yl)diimidazole ligands are located around two sets of inversion centers and bridge Zn(II) ions, forming a zigzag polymeric chain. C-H⋯Cl hydrogen bonding results in the formation of a three-dimensional supra-molecular network.

catena-Poly[[[tetra-aqua-zinc(II)]-µ-4,4'-bipyridine-κN:N'] naphthalene-1,5-disulfonate].

In the title complex, {[Zn(C(10)H(8)N(2))(H(2)O)(4)](C(10)H(6)O(6)S(2))}(n), the [Zn(4,4'-bipy)(H(2)O)(4)](2+) (4,4'-bipy is 4,4'-bipyridine) cations are linked into linear chains along [001] by the 4,4'-bipy ligands. The Zn(II) ion exhibits a slightly distorted octa-hedral coordination geometry in which the four water mol-ecules are in the equatorial positions. The anions are hydrogen bonded to the polycationic chains by O-H⋯O hydrogen bonds, forming a three-dimensional network. The Zn(II) ion, 4,4'-bipy ligand and anion lie on special positions of 2/m site symmetry.

Surface modification of nanometer size TiO2 with salicylic acid for photocatalytic degradation of 4-nitrophenol.

The efficiency of photocatalytic reactions was limited by the wide band-gap of TiO(2) and the high degree of electron-hole recombination inherent in photocatalytic process, as well as by the limited adsorption capability of photocatalysts. In order to increase the overall efficiency, the surface of nanometer size TiO(2) was simply and fast modified by chemical adsorption in saturated solution of salicylic acid. A stable, light yellow surface complex was formed quickly, which has obvious absorption in the region from 320 to 420 nm. Through surface modification, the adsorption efficiency of 4-nitrophenol by TiO(2) was enhanced from 42 to 84%. The photocatalytic efficiency was tested on the degradation of 4-nitrophenol. The influences of catalyst and its dosage, pH value, and 4-nitrophenol concentration on the degradation were investigated. Under such photodegradation conditions as initial pH 4.0, 4-nitrophenol 5 mg l(-1), catalyst 100 mg, and irradiation time 160 min with 160 W high-pressure mercury lamp, the degradation efficiency of 4-nitrophenol by TiO(2) was increased from 39.5 to 79.3% after surface modification, and furthermore, the degradation efficiency could be enhanced to 91.1% if the concentration of 4-nitrophenol was not more than 1 mg l(-1). Compared with the pure TiO(2), surface modification led not only to improve the surface coverage of 4-nitrophenol, but also to increase the light utilization. Both of these factors were crucial for the photocatalytic activity of heterogeneous photocatalysis, especially for photodegradation of aromatic pollutants.

Speciation analysis and the assessment of bioavailability of manganese in phytomedicines by extraction with octanol and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Trace elements in phytomedicines are present in the form of metallic complexes. Since n-octanol, a long-chain alkanol, presents a configuration similar to that of carbohydrates and lipids, the lipophilicity and absorptivity of organic medicines may be assessed from their distribution coefficients between octanol and water. This strategy has been used in order to define the species of manganese in a number of phytomedicines and to study the distribution of manganese in decoctions of phytomedicines in the stomach and the intestine. The concentrations of manganese in the original herbal materials and in octanol- and water-soluble fractions were determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry following mixed acid digestion. The acidities of gastric and intestinal juices, the phytomedical composition and the compatibility of phytomedicines, i.e. the combination of single phytomedicines, greatly affected the manganese complexing ligands and determined the species and bioavailability of manganese. It is concluded that a knowledge of the level of octanol-soluble manganese in a phytomedicine could form the basis of dosage design in order to avoid manganese overload.