The use of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) sensor arrays for analyses of volatile organic compounds (VOC) has attracted significant interest in recent years. In this regard, a group of uniformed materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) has proven to be promising recognition elements in QCM based sensor arrays due to diverse properties afforded by this class of tunable materials. Herein, we examine the application of four novel phthalocyanine based GUMBOS as recognition elements for VOC sensing using a QCM based multisensor array (MSA). These synthesized GUMBOS are composed of copper (II) phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate (CuPcS) anions coupled with ammonium or phosphonium cations respectively (tetrabutylammonium (TBA), tetrabutylphosphonium (P), 3-(dodecyldimethyl-ammonio)propanesulfonate (DDMA), and tributyl-n-octylphosphonium (P)). These materials were characterized using ESI-MS and FTIR, while thermal properties were investigated using TGA. Vapor sensing properties of these GUMBOS towards a set of common VOCs at three sample flow rate ratios were examined. Upon exposure to VOCs, each sensor generated analyte specific response patterns that were recorded and analyzed using principal component and discriminant analyses. Use of this MSA allowed discrimination of analytes into different functional group classes (alcohols, chlorohydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, and hydrocarbons) with 98.6% accuracy. Evaluation of these results provides further insight into the use of phthalocyanine GUMBOS as recognition elements for QCM-based MSAs for VOC discrimination.
Sensitive and selective detection
of proteins from complex samples
has gained substantial interest within the scientific community. Early
and precise detection of key proteins plays an important role in potential
clinical diagnosis, treatment of different diseases, and proteomic
research. In the study reported here, six different compounds belonging
to a group of uniform materials based on organic salts (GUMBOS) have
been synthesized using three thiacarbocyanine (TC) dyes and employed
as fluorescent sensors. Fluorescence properties of micro- and nanoaggregates
of these TC-based GUMBOS formed in phosphate buffer solutions are
studied in the absence and presence of seven proteins. Fluorescence
response patterns of these TC-based GUMBOS were analyzed by linear
discriminant analysis (LDA). The constructed LDA model allowed discrimination
of these seven proteins at various concentrations with 100% accuracy.
The sensing and discrimination abilities of these TC-based GUMBOS
were further evaluated in mixtures of two major proteins, i.e., human
serum albumin and hemoglobin. Fluorescence response patterns of these
mixtures were analyzed by LDA. This model allowed discrimination of
various mixtures with 100% accuracy. Moreover, spiked urine samples
were prepared and the responses of these sensors were collected and
analyzed by LDA. Remarkably, discrimination of these seven proteins
was also achieved with 100% accuracy.
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