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ICT-based fluorescent nanoparticles for selective cyanide ion detection and quantification in apple seeds
Upendar Reddy Gandra1,2, Rabindranath Lo3, Praveen B Managutti1,4
1Department of Chemistry, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 127788, United Arab Emirates. upreddygandra@gmail.com.
The Analyst
|December 23, 2024
Summary
A novel fluorescent probe, DCVTT, detects cyanide ions in water with high sensitivity. This acceptor-donor-acceptor probe offers a visible color change and can quantify cyanide in apple seeds, exceeding safety standards.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Developing sensitive and selective probes for environmental contaminants is crucial.
- Cyanide (CN-) poses significant health risks, necessitating reliable detection methods.
- Fluorescent probes offer advantages in sensitivity and real-time monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer a novel acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) based fluorescent probe (DCVTT) for cyanide ion detection.
- To investigate the self-assembly of DCVTT into luminous nanoparticles (DCVTT NPs) for sensing applications.
- To establish a practical and highly sensitive method for cyanide detection in aqueous environments and real-world samples.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of DCVTT probe with dicyanovinyl-substituted thieno[3,2-b]thiophene.
- Formation of fluorescent nanoparticles (DCVTT NPs) in aqueous solutions.
- Spectroscopic analysis (UV-Vis, fluorescence) and Time-Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) for optical property investigation.
- Development of paper-based test strips for qualitative and quantitative cyanide detection.
Main Results:
- DCVTT self-assembles into fluorescent nanoparticles (DCVTT NPs) exhibiting strong Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT).
- The probe shows a distinct colorimetric response upon interaction with cyanide ions.
- Achieved a low detection limit (LOD) of 0.83 nM for cyanide, significantly below WHO and EPA safety limits.
- Demonstrated successful quantitative detection of cyanide in apple seeds using a paper-based test strip.
Conclusions:
- The engineered DCVTT probe is a highly sensitive and selective ratiometric sensor for cyanide ions.
- The A-D-A architecture effectively enhances ICT properties, leading to improved sensing performance.
- The developed paper-based sensing platform offers a practical, visual, and accurate method for cyanide detection in real samples, including food matrices.
