Fluorescent and Colorimetric Electrospun Nanofibers for Heavy-Metal Sensing

Author(s)

Terra, Idelma A. A. ^[1] ; Mercante, Luiza A. ^{[1, 2]} ; Andre, Rafaela S. ^[1] ; Correa, Daniel S. ^{[1, 3]}

Affiliation

^[1] Embrapa Instrumentacao, Nanotechnol Natl Lab Agr LNNA, BR-13560970 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[2] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Mat Engn, Ctr Exact Sci & Technol, PPG CEM, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

^[3] Fed Univ Sao Carlos UFSCar, Dept Chem, Ctr Exact Sci & Technol, PPGQ, BR-13565905 Sao Carlos, SP - Brazil

• Document type: Review article
• Source: BIOSENSORS-BASEL; v. 7, n. 4 DEC 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 12

Abstract

The accumulation of heavy metals in the human body and/or in the environment can be highly deleterious for mankind, and currently, considerable efforts have been made to develop reliable and sensitive techniques for their detection. Among the detection methods, chemical sensors appear as a promising technology, with emphasis on systems employing optically active nanofibers. Such nanofibers can be obtained by the electrospinning technique, and further functionalized with optically active chromophores such as dyes, conjugated polymers, carbon-based nanomaterials and nanoparticles, in order to produce fluorescent and colorimetric nanofibers. In this review we survey recent investigations reporting the use of optically active electrospun nanofibers in sensors aiming at the specific detection of heavy metals using colorimetry and fluorescence methods. The examples given in this review article provide sufficient evidence of the potential of optically electrospun nanofibers as a valid approach to fabricate highly selective and sensitive optical sensors for fast and low-cost detection of heavy metals. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 16/23793-4 - Development of nanostructured sensor aiming the detection of volatile compounds for food quality indicators
• Grantee: Rafaela da Silveira Andre
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral