Magnetically Reusable and Well-dispersed Nanoparticles for Oxygen Detection in Water

In this study, we aimed to synthesize magnetically well-dispersed nanosensors for detecting dissolved oxygen (DO) in water, and explore their biological applications. Firstly, we synthesized two kinds of magnetic nanoparticle with average sizes of approximately 82 nm by one-step emulsion polymerization: polystyrene magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@Os1-PS) and polymethylmethacrylate magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@Os1-PMMA). Both types of nanoparticle present good dispersibility and fluorescence stability. The nanoparticles could be used as oxygen sensors that exhibited a high DO-sensitivity response in the range 0-39.30 mg/L, with a strong linear relationship. The nanoparticles have good magnetic properties, and so they could be recycled by magnet for further use. Recovered Fe₃O₄@Os1-PS still presented high stability after continued use in oxygen sensing for one month. Furthermore, Fe₃O₄@Os1-PS was employed for detecting the bacterial oxygen consumption of Escherichia coli (E-coli) to monitor the metabolism of bacteria. The results show that Fe₃O₄@Os1-PS provide high biocompatibility and non-toxicity. Polystyrene magnetic nanoparticles therefore present significant potential for application in biological oxygen sensing.