Smartphone-Paper Sensor for Glutathione Based on a RhB@Zn-MOF Engineered via Synergistic RET and ACE for Ratiometric...

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Glutathione (GSH) is a vital biological thiol and a key biomarker for various diseases.
• Accurate, on-site detection of GSH is crucial for biomedical diagnostics and food safety.
• Existing detection methods may lack sensitivity or on-site applicability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a high-performance ratiometric sensor for sensitive and quantitative detection of GSH.
• To create a dual-emission metal-organic framework (MOF) for enhanced sensing capabilities.
• To enable practical, on-the-go GSH detection using a portable device.

Main Methods:

• One-pot synthesis of a dual-emission MOF (RhB@Zn-MOF) by encapsulating rhodamine B (RhB) within a Zn-MOF.
• Utilizing a synergistic mechanism of resonance energy transfer and absorbance enhancement for ratiometric sensing.
• Developing a paper-based sensor integrated with a smartphone for real-time analysis.

Main Results:

• The RhB@Zn-MOF exhibited a distinct ratiometric fluorescence response to GSH, with RhB emission quenched and Zn-MOF emission enhanced.
• Achieved a significantly lower detection limit of 0.689 μM for GSH compared to the pristine Zn-MOF (24.85 μM).
• Demonstrated successful on-site detection of GSH in practical samples using the paper-based sensor and smartphone integration.

Conclusions:

• The rationally designed RhB@Zn-MOF serves as a high-performance ratiometric sensor for GSH.
• This platform offers improved quantification and sensitivity for GSH detection.
• The developed sensor expands applications for practical, on-the-go analysis in biomedical and food safety fields.