Engineering Ratiometric Persistent Luminous Sensor Arrays for Biothiols Identification

Abstract

Thiols play vital roles in mediating physiological processes. However, it is difficult to discriminate one thiol from another because of the similarities among structures and reactivities of thiols. In light of the ultralow background and impressive discrimination power, a persistent luminescence-based sensing array has attracted increasing attention but still remains a huge challenge. Herein, we have thoroughly studied the chemistry involving dual-emission persistent luminescence nanoparticles (D-PLNPs) with metal ions (MIs) and for the first time proposed an MIs-triggered ratiometric persistent luminescence (R-PersL) sensor array for the discrimination of six thiols. To extract data-rich outputs from a single sensor element, three representative D-PLNPs with a core–shell structure and subsequent carboxyl functionalizations (CSD-PLNPs) were rationally fabricated. Interestingly, MIs revealed the different regulating efficiencies for the two main emission bands of CSD-PLNPs, resulting from MI-triggered R-PersL signal transductions. Inspired by the crucial roles of thiols in vivo, a proof-of-concept sensor array through the ensemble of CSD-PLNPs-COOH and certain MIs was developed and demonstrated aR-PersL “fingerprint“ pattern identification for six thiols. Remarkably, because of the autofluorescence-free background and high-throughput signal output, this sensing array system enabled a highly sensitive and differentiable detection of thiols at various concentrations in human blood serums, paving a new way to develop multiparameters sensing for complex analytes.

Functional Micro‐/Nanomaterials for Multiplexed Biodetection

“…Therefore, a “turn on” PLNPs‐based six‐plexed detection array was constructed with fingerprints for each kind of bio‐thiol targets (Figure 9E). [ 104 ] With the development of preparation methods, more PLNPs with tunable wavelength and high quantum yield will be produced, and PLNPs related multiplexed detection will flourish.…”

Interpenetrated metal–organic frameworks with enhanced photoluminescence for selective recognition of m-xylene from xylene isomers

“…[16][17][18][19] In addition, combined with a spectrophotometer, luminescent materials can be identified as sensing materials based on characteristic absorption and emission shifts. [20][21][22][23] Among the reported luminescent materials, luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) have recently emerged as potential chemical sensors because of their superiorities of inherent crystallinity, designable structure, tunable pores, and multiple functionalizations. [24][25][26][27][28] At present, the use of LMOFs as sensors has been extensively investigated in a wide range of applications including ion detection, pH sensing, and organic molecular recognition.…”

Screening and Discrimination of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Aqueous Solution Using a Luminescent Metal–Organic Framework Sensor Array

“…So far, the array sensing technique has been applied in the discrimination of phosphates, proteins, thiols, metal ions, and pesticides. [24][25][26][27][28]30,31 Recently, the discrimination of multiple PFASs was successfully achieved by Yin et al using a fluorescence sensor array based on upconversion nanoparticles, 32 suggesting the great potential of the array technique in PFAS sensing. Luminescent metal−organic frameworks (LMOFs) are a class of luminescent materials with ultrahigh porosity, specific surface area, as well as structural diversity and tunability.…”