Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 13, 2025
09:28
Engineering Molecular Recognition with Bio-mimetic Polymers on Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Published on: January 10, 2017
8.2K
Ordered DNA-Wrapped Single-Chirality Carbon Nanotubes Enable an Unparalleled Sensing Platform for Copper Ion
Jianying Chen1, Yinong Li1, Jiajie Wu1
1South China Advanced Institute for Soft Matter Science and Technology, School of Emergent Soft Matter, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510640, China.
ACS Nano
|August 1, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed a novel DNA-wrapped carbon nanotube sensor for detecting copper (Cu2+) ions in plants. This ultrasensitive and selective nanosensor enables real-time monitoring of copper uptake, crucial for environmental and health safety.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Environmental Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Copper is essential but toxic in excess, posing risks to ecosystems and human health.
- Assessing copper uptake in plants requires sensitive, non-destructive, real-time methods, which are currently lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a highly sensitive and selective nanosensor for detecting copper (Cu2+) ions in real-time.
- To evaluate the efficacy of DNA-wrapped single-chirality carbon nanotubes (scCNTs) as a platform for copper detection in living plants.
Main Methods:
- Screening of five DNA-scCNT species to identify the optimal candidate for copper detection.
- Utilizing femtosecond transient absorption (fs-TA) spectroscopy to investigate the electron transfer mechanism.
- Applying the selected nanosensor for real-time quantitative detection of Cu2+ uptake in plants.
Main Results:
- The C3GC6GC4-(7,5) DNA-scCNT species demonstrated ultrasensitive and selective Cu2+ detection with a limit of detection of 1.20 pM.
- The sensor showed no interference from 13 other common metal ions.
- Electron transfer from the nanotube to Cu2+ ions was confirmed on a femtosecond timescale, leading to fluorescence quenching.
Conclusions:
- Purified DNA-scCNT complexes offer a superior platform for developing next-generation nanosensors.
- The developed nanosensor enables rapid, quantitative, and real-time monitoring of copper uptake in living plants.
- This technology has significant implications for environmental monitoring and agricultural applications.
