A double probe-based fluorescence sensor array to detect rare earth element ions.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Effective detection of rare earth element ions (REEIs) is crucial due to their environmental and health impacts.
• Existing methods for REEI detection often lack simplicity, sensitivity, or the ability for simultaneous multi-analyte determination.
• There is a need for versatile fluorescence-based sensors for applications in environmental safety, food quality, and biomedicine.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, sensitive, and multi-target fluorescence sensor array for the simultaneous detection of 14 REEIs.
• To utilize two distinct gold nanocluster probes, 6-aza-2-thiothymine-gold nanoclusters (ATT-AuNCs) and bovine serum albumin/3-mercaptopropionic acid-AuNCs (BSA/MPA-AuNCs), as dual signal channels.
• To employ pattern recognition techniques for analyzing the fluorescence responses and achieving accurate REEI identification.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis and characterization of ATT-AuNCs and BSA/MPA-AuNCs.
• Investigation of the fluorescence response of the two probes to 14 individual REEIs, observing varied enhancement and quenching effects.
• Application of hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) for pattern recognition and classification of REEIs.
• Validation of the sensor array platform using purified water samples spiked with REEIs.

Main Results:

• The developed fluorescence sensor array demonstrated sensitive detection of 14 REEIs, including Sc³⁺, Gd³⁺, Lu³⁺, Y³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Yb³⁺, Dy³⁺, Tm³⁺, Sm³⁺, Ho³⁺, Tb³⁺, La³⁺, and Eu³⁺.
• The dual-channel probe system, utilizing differential fluorescence modulation by REEIs, enabled effective pattern recognition for both individual and mixed REEI detection.
• Successful validation of the method in detecting REEIs in purified water samples, showcasing its practical applicability.

Conclusions:

• A novel, simple, and efficient fluorescence sensor array platform for simultaneous detection of multiple REEIs has been successfully established.
• The use of two distinct gold nanocluster probes as dual signal channels combined with pattern recognition offers a versatile approach for complex analyte mixtures.
• This method provides a valuable tool for environmental monitoring, ensuring safety and quality across various applications by addressing the challenge of simultaneous multi-REEI determination.