Engineering a Smart Nanofluidic Sensor for High-Performance Peroxynitrite Sensing through a Spirocyclic Ring...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Chemical Sensing
• Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species

Background:

• Peroxynitrite (ONOO-) is a key reactive species in biological systems.
• ONOO- influences physiological and pathological processes by altering ion channel function.
• Existing methods for ONOO- detection face limitations in selectivity and response time.

Purpose of the Study:

• To construct a smart nanosensor for selective and sensitive detection of peroxynitrite (ONOO-).
• To utilize a spirocyclic ring opening/closing mechanism for ONOO- sensing.
• To explore the application of nanochannel-based systems in biological sensing.

Main Methods:

• Design and synthesis of a nanosensor incorporating a spirocyclic moiety.
• Utilizing a specific reaction between ONOO- and surface ligands for signal transduction.
• Characterization of nanosensor performance, including selectivity, sensitivity, response time, ion rectification, and ion gating.
• Evaluation of nanosensor stability and recyclability.

Main Results:

• The developed nanosensor demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity towards ONOO-.
• A rapid response time of approximately 90 seconds was achieved.
• The nanosensor exhibited a high ion rectification ratio (∼10) and ion gating ratio (∼4).
• The system showed excellent stability and recyclability over multiple detection cycles.

Conclusions:

• A novel ONOO--driven nanosensor was successfully constructed using a spirocyclic reaction.
• The nanosensor offers a promising platform for sensitive, selective, and rapid detection of ONOO-.
• This work provides a new strategy for designing nanochannel-based sensors for practical and biological applications.