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Harnessing Selectivity and Sensitivity in Ion Sensing via Supramolecular Recognition: A 3D Hybrid Gold Nanoparticle Network Chemiresistor
Author(s) -
MontesGarcía Verónica,
Oliveira Rafael Furlan,
Wang Ye,
Berezin Andrey,
FanjulBolado Pablo,
González García María Begoña,
Hermans Thomas M.,
Bonifazi Davide,
Casalini Stefano,
Samorì Paolo
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.202008554
Subject(s) - supramolecular chemistry , nanotechnology , selectivity , chemiresistor , nanoparticle , nanosensor , fabrication , linear range , materials science , chemistry , computer science , detection limit , chromatography , molecule , organic chemistry , medicine , alternative medicine , pathology , catalysis
The monitoring of K + in saliva, blood, urine, or sweat represents a future powerful alternative diagnostic tool to prevent various diseases. However, several K + sensors are unable to meet the requirements for the development of point‐of‐care (POC) sensors. To tackle this grand‐challenge, the fabrication of chemiresistors (CRs) based on 3D networks of Au nanoparticles covalently bridged by ad‐hoc supramolecular receptors for K + , namely dithiomethylene dibenzo‐18‐crown‐6 ether is reported here. A multi‐technique characterization allows optimizing a new protocol for fabricating high‐performing CRs for real‐time monitoring of K + in complex aqueous environments. The sensor shows exceptional figures of merit: i) linear sensitivity in the 10 –3 to 10 –6 m concentration range; ii) high selectivity to K + in presence of interfering cations (Na + , Ca 2+ , and Mg 2+ ); iii) high shelf‐life stability ( > 45 days); iv) reversibility of K + binding and release; v) successful device integration into microfluidic systems for real‐time monitoring; vi) fast response and recovery times ( < 18 s), and v) K + detection in artificial saliva. All these characteristics make the supramolecular CRs a potential tool for future applications as POC devices, especially for health monitoring where the determination of K + in saliva is pivotal for the early diagnosis of diseases.