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Plasmonic Polyurea-Functionalized Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Substrates for Whole-Plant Imprinting Mass Spectrometry
Xinzhou Wu1, Yuhui Zhao1, Yaming Sun1
1National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Key Laboratory of Natural Pesticide and Chemical Biology, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
Analytical Chemistry
|June 2, 2026
Summary
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) show varied plant uptake based on carbon chain length. Shorter PFAS like PFBS distribute widely, while longer PFOS accumulate in roots, impacting ecological risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Plant Science
- Analytical Chemistry
Background:
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are persistent environmental pollutants with significant bioaccumulation potential.
- Understanding PFAS absorption, transport, and distribution in plants is crucial for assessing ecological risks.
- Previous studies lacked comprehensive whole-plant imaging for PFAS translocation mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the spatially and temporally distinctive absorption, translocation, and accumulation patterns of three PFASs with varying carbon chain lengths (CCL) in whole cowpea plants.
- To develop and apply a novel whole-plant imprinting mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) technique for PFAS analysis.
- To elucidate the influence of CCL on PFAS mobility and root tissue penetration.
Main Methods:
- Development of a gold nanoparticle-coated urea-linked organic polymer-functionalized TiO2 nanotube substrate for MSI.
- Whole-plant MSI in negative-ion modes to analyze perfluorobutanesulfonate (PFBS, C4), perfluorohexanesulfonate (PFHxS, C6), and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS, C8) in hydroponically grown cowpea plants.
- Cross-sectional MSI to examine tissue-level distribution and identify barriers to PFAS translocation.
Main Results:
- PFBS (C4) exhibited the highest mobility, distributing throughout the entire plant within 6 hours.
- PFOS (C8) showed limited transport, accumulating primarily in roots and stems even after prolonged exposure.
- PFBS and PFHxS penetrated root tissues and accumulated in the vascular cylinder, while PFOS was restricted by the Casparian strip.
Conclusions:
- The study demonstrates a CCL-dependent translocation mechanism for PFASs in plants.
- Whole-plant imprinting MSI is a powerful tool for deciphering plant-pollutant interactions.
- Findings contribute to understanding PFAS ecological impact and inform pollution management strategies.
