Selective detection of toxic heavy metal ions using highly sensitive quantum dot probes

Santra，Swadeshmukul中佛罗里达大学奖号：CBET-0651976使用高灵敏度量子点探针选择性检测重金属离子重金属污染和随后的环境问题是许多国家的主要关注点。由于高毒性的性质，这些重金属在各种位置和基质中的痕量水平检测是非常期望的。长期接触微量和过量摄入这些有毒元素可导致各种疾病并造成长期痛苦。了解重金属含量和测量污染水平对于采取关键预防措施和保护我们的环境至关重要。此外，环境中重金属成分的存在也会影响生态系统。有不同的传统实验室方法，如电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP-OES），电感耦合等离子体质谱法（ICP-MS），原子吸收光谱法（AAS）/原子发射光谱法（AES），X射线荧光/吸收等，广泛用于痕量重金属污染的测定。然而，这些方法往往是费力的、昂贵的，并且大多数时候需要熟练的人员来处理测量。一种现场便携且易于使用的传感器，其提供对各种基质中痕量重金属污染物的准确测定，是非常期望的。基于光学的技术在灵敏度和选择性方面提供了许多好处。除了测量灵敏度，光学传感器将是简单的，非常用户友好，甚至可以由不太熟练的人员操作。 通常，光学换能器元件在限定传感器装置对特定分析物或检测参数的灵敏度和选择性方面起关键作用。具有高度放大的信号单元和具有潜在重金属受体的选择性单元的换能器元件对于有效的传感器开发将是非常有益的。基于量子点（Qdot）纳米技术，我们提出了一种能够选择性检测痕量重金属离子的新型光传感器探针（Qdot based heavy metal detection probe，QHMDP）。基于探针设计和稳健的开发方案，预期QHMDP对重金属离子（例如铅、汞、镉离子）的检测具有优异的性能。

Santra, SwadeshmukulUniversity of Central FloridaAward No: CBET-0651976Selective detection of heavy metal ions using highly sensitive quantum dot probesHeavy metal contamination and subsequent environmental problems are a major concern many Nations. Due to the nature of high toxicity, trace level detection of these heavy metals at various locations and matrices is highly desirable. Long-term exposure at trace amounts as well as over dose consumption of these toxic elements can lead to various disease conditions and cause prolonged suffering. Understanding the heavy metal content and measuring the contamination level is critically important to take crucial precautionary measures and to protect our environment. In addition, the presence of heavy metal components in the environment affects the ecological system. There are different traditional laboratory methods such as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS), Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS)/Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (AES), X-Ray fluorescence/absorption etc., are in wide use to determine the heavy metal contamination at trace quantities. However, these methods tend to be laborious, expensive and most of the time requires skilled personnel to handle the measurements. A field portable and easy to use sensor, which offers accurate determination of heavy metal contaminants at trace amounts in various matrices, is highly desirable. Optical based technique offers numerous benefits in terms of sensitivity and selectivity. Apart from the measurement sensitivity, optical sensors will be simple, extremely user friendly and can be operated even by less skilled personnel. Generally, the optical transducer elements play a critical role in defining the sensitivity and selectivity of the sensor device on specific analytes or detection parameters. A transducer element, which has a highly amplified signaling unit and selective unit with potential heavy metal receptors, will be greatly beneficial for an efficient sensor development. Based on quantum dot (Qdot) nanotechnology, we propose to develop a novel opticaltransducer probe capable of selectively detecting heavy metal ions at the trace level (Qdot based heavy metal detection probe, QHMDP). Based on the probe design and the robust development protocol, an excellent QHMDP performance towards the detection of heavy metal ions (e.g. lead, mercury, cadmium ions) is expected.