Smartphone-Integrated resorcinarene macrocycle capped silver nanoparticles (RMF-AgNPs) probe for enhanced La(III) detection in diverse environments

• Published in: Journal of industrial and engineering chemistry (Seoul, Korea) 2024, 138(0), , pp.256-269
• Main Authors: Hussain, Kashif, Umar, Abdul Rehman, Rasheed, Sufian, Hassan, Mehdi, Laiche, Mouna Hind, Muhammad, Haji, Hanif, Muddasir, Aslam, Zara, Sirajuddin, Shah, Muhammad Raza
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AgNPs; Colorimetric sensing; La(III) detection; Paper-based sensors; Resorcinarene macrocycle; Smartphone integration; 화학공학
• ISSN: 1226-086X; 1876-794X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2024.04.001

[Display omitted] •Developed RMF-AgNPs based sensor for selective and sensitive detection of La(III) ions.•Introduced dual-functionality sensor with visual color change and paper-based, smartphone-integrated analysis for La(III).•Demonstrated sensor's mechanism through spectral and microscopic techniques, highlighting nanoparticle aggregation and color shift.•Achieved high precision and accuracy in detecting La(III) across various samples, including environmental and biological matrices. The demand for precise and responsive detection of Lanthanum (La(III)) is critical in key areas such as environmental monitoring, biomedical research, and industrial processes, underscoring the need for advanced sensor technologies. This research reports an efficient and cost-effective preparation of resorcinarene macrocycle framework (RMF) capped silver nanoparticles (RMF-AgNPs). These nanoparticles were then applied as a novel sensor for La(III), demonstrating dual functionality: they act as a colorimetric sensor and a paper-based probe. Unique in its class, the sensor excels in detecting La(III) at ultra-low concentrations, unaffected by other ions, and undergoes a significant color transition from yellow to grey in response to La(III) presence. This change is linked to the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorbance alteration. Extensive analytical methods like FTIR, XPS, AFM, FESEM, DLS, Zeta potential, and UV–Vis spectroscopy confirmed that the sensor operates by aggregating nanoparticles induced by La(III). Adding to its practicality, we incorporated a smartphone interface with the paper-based sensor, enhancing its utility for on-the-spot, real-time detection. The sensor's efficacy was validated across various samples, including soil, rock, urine, drinking water, and industrial effluent, showing its versatility. With detection limits of 15 nM (colorimetric) and 280 nM (paper-based), and linear dynamic ranges from 0.05 to 100 µM and 0.5–100 µM respectively, this sensor marks a significant advancement, effectively bridging lab-based detection with field application needs.