A novel fluorescent probe for copper ions based on polymer-modified CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots.

Quantum dots (QDs) have become one of the most attractive fields of current research because of their unique optical properties. Novel copper-sensitive fluorescent fluoroionophores based on CdSe/CdS core/shell QDs modified with a polymer of MAO-mPEG were synthesized and characterized in the present work. A pH of 6.47 was optimally selected for measurements. By modifying QDs with MAO-mPEG, significant aqueous fluorescence quenching was observed upon binding with copper ions involving both reduced and oxidized environments, indicating great sensitivity and specificity for copper-ion sensing. No significant interfering effects from other metal ions, such as Ag(+), Al(3+), Ba(2+), Ca(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Cr(3+), Fe(2+), Fe(3+), Hg(2+), K(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Na(+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+), Sn(2+), and Zn(2+), were observed. The linear response range for Cu(2+) was found to be 0.01-0.50 µM, and the limit of detection was evaluated to be 16 nM. The proposed method demonstrated improved sensitivity and selectivity characteristics for Cu(II) determinations based on CdSe/CdS core/shell QDs modified with MAO-mPEG by using a typical liquid-phase quenching assay, showing its potential application to multiplex sensing of different analytes through distinct ligand conjugation and functionalization of individual fluorophores.

A reusable capacitive immunosensor based on a CuS ultrathin film constructed by using a surface sol-gel technique.

A capacitive sensing method based on a CuS ultrathin film modified electrode prepared by a surface sol-gel technique has been developed for the direct detection of human IgA. The resulting CuS film was investigated with cyclic voltammetry (CV), impedance spectroscopy, and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). CV and impedance examinations showed that the CuS film formed on the gold electrode surface was insulated, and was applicable to form an insulating layer of a capacitive immunosensor. With QCM measurements, the thickness of the CuS film was evaluated to be 5.8 nm. The capacitance change was greatly increased by a CuS nanofilm-based immunosensor, which was initiated by the recognition of an immobilized antibody and the target antigen. The capacitance of the immunosensor corresponding to the concentration of human IgA was investigated by potentiostatic-step measurements. A linear calibration curve was obtained in the range of 1.81 - 90.5 ng ml(-1) with a detection limit of 1.81 ng ml(-1). There were no obvious interferences from the nonspecific adsorption of other proteins. With nice reproducibility and regeneration capacity, the CuS ultrathin film modified immunosensor could be used for the detection of human IgA in serum samples with a recovery of 96.1 - 104.4%, showing its promising applicability and reliability.