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A Filter-based Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopic Assay for Rapid Detection of Chemical Contaminants
Published on: February 19, 2016
Mixed matrix membranes incorporated with Ln-MOF for selective and sensitive detection of nitrofuran antibiotics based
Feng Zhang1, Hua Yao1, Yifan Zhao1
1School of Materials Science and Engineering, School of Chemistry, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510275, PR China.
Abstract:
The detection of antibiotics is critical and challenging due to the pervasive use of antibiotics had inevitably brought some negative impacts on ecosystem and human health. Herein, we reported an anti-interfere ability enhanced luminescent sensor of lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) filled mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), which combining the processibility of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) polymer with Ln-MOF of {[Tb2(AIP)2(H2O)10]·(AIP)·4H2O}n (Tb-AIP, where AIP is 5-aminoisophthalate) fillers. The as-fabricated Tb-AIP MMMs are stable in water with a wide pH range and exhibit characteristic blue emission of Tb3+. Significantly, the Tb-AIP MMMs show highly selective and sensitive to nitrofuran antibiotics (NFAs) via inner filter effect (IFE), and yet remain unaffected not only by other common antibiotics but also by other types of analytes (metal ions and anions) that may coexist. The limits of detection for nitrofurantoin (NFT) and nitrofurazone (NFZ) are 0.30 and 0.35μM, respectively. As a proof of concept, the proposed MMMs sensor are demonstrated to be feasible for application in detecting NFAs in original water of Pearl River and bovine serum samples, the corresponding quenching constants and limits of detection are similar to their standard detections in an acceptable range. Furthermore, this MMMs sensor for NFAs detection was reversible after washing with deionized water. The luminescent Ln-MOF filled MMMs presented here provides a functional platform for simple yet useful in sensing of NFAs in environment and biology systems.
Insights
A new luminescent sensor using lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) filled mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) offers enhanced detection of nitrofuran antibiotics (NFAs). This stable and selective sensor is effective in environmental and biological samples.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Antibiotic overuse negatively impacts ecosystems and human health, necessitating effective detection methods.
- Existing sensors often lack selectivity and are susceptible to interference from coexisting substances.
- Lanthanide metal-organic frameworks (Ln-MOFs) offer unique luminescent properties for sensing applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an enhanced luminescent sensor with improved anti-interference capabilities for antibiotic detection.
- To create a stable and processable sensor material by combining Ln-MOFs with a polymer matrix.
- To demonstrate the sensor's efficacy in detecting specific antibiotics in real-world environmental and biological samples.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) incorporating a specific Ln-MOF (Tb-AIP) within a poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix.
- Characterization of the MMMs' stability, luminescence properties, and selectivity using spectroscopic techniques.
- Evaluation of the sensor's performance for detecting nitrofuran antibiotics (NFAs) via the inner filter effect (IFE).
Main Results:
- The Tb-AIP MMMs exhibited stable blue luminescence and high selectivity towards NFAs.
- The sensor demonstrated high sensitivity with low limits of detection for nitrofurantoin (NFT) and nitrofurazone (NFZ).
- The MMMs effectively detected NFAs in Pearl River water and bovine serum samples with comparable results to standard methods.
Conclusions:
- The developed Ln-MOF filled MMMs provide a robust and selective platform for sensitive NFA detection.
- The sensor's anti-interference ability and reversibility make it suitable for environmental and biological monitoring.
- This work presents a promising approach for developing advanced luminescent sensors for antibiotic residue analysis.

