Smartphone-based enzyme-free fluorescence sensing of organophosphate DDVP

A novel fluorescence strategy based on the outstanding catalytic capability of CuS nanoparticles (CuS_NPs) has been developed for highly sensitive and specific determination of o,o-dimethyl-o-2,2-dichlorovinyl phosphate (DDVP) under enzyme-free and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂)-free conditions. In the presence of DDVP, CuS_NPs can catalyze non-fluorescence substratum of Amplex red (AR) into resorufin, which exhibits fluorescence emission at 584 nm under excitation at 540 nm. The sensing system exhibits outstanding specificity and only responds to DDVP and no other organophosphorus pesticides (OPs). A wide linear range is obtained from 0.0001 to 0.1 μg/mL, and the limit of detection (LOD) is 0.1 ng/mL. Furthermore, paper-based test strips have been constructed for visual detection of DDVP under ultraviolet light irradiation. By integrating a smartphone installed with Color Picker APP, point-of-care detection with quantitative determination is realized, demonstrating substantial potential applications of the as-developed assay for in situ detection. Graphical abstract.