Discriminative detection of various organophosphorus nerve agents and analogues based on self-trapping probe coupled...

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Chemical Sensing
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Organophosphorus nerve agents (OPNAs) are highly lethal chemical warfare agents (CWAs) posing significant threats.
• Accurate and rapid identification of OPNAs is critical for medical diagnosis and treatment.
• Distinguishing between various OPNAs and their analogues via on-site point-of-care testing (POCT) is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel Raman-enhanced strategy for the rapid and accurate identification of OPNAs.
• To overcome the limitations of current on-site detection methods for OPNAs.
• To enable sensitive differentiation of OPNAs and their analogues.

Main Methods:

• A Raman-enhanced strategy employing a chemical capture probe, 2-(dimethylamino methyl)-3-hydroxypyridine (2-DMAMPD), coupled with handheld Raman spectrometry.
• Utilizing plasmonic hotspots for capturing target OPNAs via strong Au-N bonds.
• Designing a structural differential amplification derivative probe for enhanced Raman intensity.

Main Results:

• The method achieved a detection limit of 2 ng/mL (50 pg absolute content) for OPNAs.
• Detection and differentiation of subtle structural variations among different OPNAs were facilitated.
• The entire detection process was completed within five minutes.
• Toxic OPNAs were transformed into low-toxic or non-toxic derivatives during detection.

Conclusions:

• The developed Raman-enhanced strategy provides a sensitive, rapid, and specific method for on-site OPNAs detection.
• The probe enables effective amplification and differentiation of OPNAs, addressing current POCT challenges.
• The simultaneous detoxification aspect offers significant advantages for operator safety and green detection.