Visual colorimetric detection of tin(II) and nitrite using a molybdenum oxide nanomaterial-based three-input logic...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Analytical Chemistry

Background:

• Molybdenum oxide (MoO3) nanomaterials exhibit unique redox properties.
• Developing sensitive and selective sensors for environmental analytes is crucial.
• Logic gates offer a framework for complex chemical sensing applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a three-input logic gate based on MoO3 nanomaterials.
• To utilize the logic gate for the visual colorimetric detection of Sn2+ and NO2- ions.
• To assess the performance and applicability of the developed sensor system.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of MoO3 nanosheets.
• Exploitation of redox reactions between Sn2+, NO2-, H+, and MoO3.
• Observation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) for signal generation.
• Development of a visual colorimetric assay for ion detection.

Main Results:

• A three-input logic gate using MoO3 nanomaterials was successfully constructed.
• Sn2+ reduced MoO3 to MoO3-x, producing a blue color and LSPR.
• NO2- inhibited the reaction by consuming Sn2+ and H+.
• The assay achieved limits of detection of 27.5 nM for Sn2+ and 0.1 μM for NO2-.
• Visual detection limits were as low as 2 μM for Sn2+ and 25 μM for NO2-.
• The assay demonstrated applicability in detecting Sn2+ and NO2- in real water samples.

Conclusions:

• The MoO3-based logic gate provides a novel platform for multi-analyte sensing.
• The visual colorimetric method offers a simple and effective way to detect Sn2+ and NO2-.
• This approach has potential for environmental monitoring applications.