Versatile sensing
matrixes are essential for the development of
enzyme-immobilized optical biosensors. A novel three-dimensional titanium
dioxide nanotubes/alginate hydrogel scaffold is proposed for the detection
of sweat biomarkers, lactate, and glucose in artificial sweat. Hydrothermally
synthesized titanium dioxide nanotubes were introduced to the alginate
polymeric matrix, followed by cross-linking nanocomposite with dicationic
calcium ions to fabricate the scaffold platform. Rapid colorimetric
detection (blue color optical signal) was carried out for both lactate
and glucose biomarkers in artificial sweat at 4 and 6 min, respectively.
The superhydrophilicity and the capillarity of the synthesized titanium
dioxide nanotubes, when incorporated into the alginate matrix, facilitate
the rapid transfer of the artificial sweat components throughout the
sensor scaffold, decreasing the detection times. Moreover, the scaffold
was integrated on a cellulose paper to demonstrate the adaptability
of the material to other matrixes, obtaining fast and homogeneous
colorimetric detection of lactate and glucose in the paper substrate
when image analysis was performed. The properties of this new composite
provide new avenues in the development of paper-based sensor devices.
The biocompatibility, the efficient immobilization of biological enzymes/colorimetric
assays, and the quick optical signal readout behavior of the titanium
dioxide nanotubes/alginate hydrogel scaffolds provide a prospective
opportunity for integration into wearable devices.
Lactate is present in sweat at high concentrations, being a metabolite of high interest in sport science and medicine. Therefore, the potential to determine lactate concentrations in physiological fluids, at the point of need with minimal invasiveness, is very valuable. In this work, the synthesis and performance of an alginate bead biosystem was investigated. Artificial sweat with different lactate concentrations was used as a proof of concept. The lactate detection was based on a colorimetric assay and an image analysis method using lactate oxidase, horseradish peroxidase and tetramethyl benzidine as the reaction mix. Lactate in artificial sweat was detected with a R² = 0.9907 in a linear range from 10 mM to 100 mM, with a limit of detection of 6.4 mM and a limit of quantification of 21.2 mM. Real sweat samples were used as a proof of concept to test the performance of the biosystem, obtaining a lactate concentration of 48 ± 3 mM. This novel sensing configuration, using alginate beads, gives a fast and reliable method for lactate sensing, which could be integrated into more complex analytical systems.
In this report, we investigated the TiO nanofibers coated stainless steel mesh as a novel underwater superoleophobic membrane for the effective separation of contaminated oil-water mixtures. The membrane was fabricated by spray deposition of hydrothermally synthesized TiO nanofibers on stainless steel mesh. The fabricated membrane exhibits superhydrophilicity and supereleophobicity properties in air and underwater respectively allowing the separation of oil-water efficiently. Randomly deposited TiO nanofibers on mesh exhibit rough surface property and hence superhydrophilic nature. Water oil separation efficiencies of ∼90 and ∼99% were achieved with this filter for less viscous and highly viscous oil respectively. Additionally, the TiO nanofibers coated mesh can degrade immiscible organic molecules due to photocatalytic activity of TiO nanofibers under UV light. As a result of self-cleaning property of TiO nanofibers coated mesh, the durability of the filter membrane is enhanced.
The accumulation and deposition of undesired air bubbles on the surface of microfluidic channels and on underwater functional systems is a major drawback, which worsen their performance. Present de-bubbling strategies...
Remote manipulation
of superhydrophobic surfaces provides fascinating
features in water interface-related applications. A superhydrophobic
magnetic nanoparticle colloid layer is able to float on the water–air
interface and form a stable water–solid–air interface
due to its inherent water repulsion, buoyancy, and lateral capillarity
properties. Moreover, it easily bends downward under an externally
applied gradient magnetic field. Thanks to that, the layer creates
a stable twister-like structure with a flipped conical shape, under
controlled water levels, behaving as a soft and elastic material that
proportionally deforms with the applied magnetic field and then goes
back to its initial state in the absence of an external force. When
the tip of the twister structure touches the bottom of the water container,
it provides a stable magneto movable system, which has many applications
in the microfluidic field. We introduce, as a proof-of-principle,
three possible implementations of this structure in real scenarios,
the cargo and transport of water droplets in aqueous media, the generation
of magneto controllable plugs in open surface channels, and the removal
of floating microplastics from the air–water interface.
For the effective oil/water separation, a novel superhydrophilic (underwater superoleophobic) filter is fabricated with the naturally and hydrothermally treated mica particles. To fabricate a double layered filter, hydrothermally treated mica particles were initially electrodeposited on a stainless steel mesh and a natural mica particles were sprayed on the first hydrothermally deposited mica layer. The double layered mica coated membrane showed superamphiphilic and superhydrophilic/superoleophobic (contact angle >159°) characteristics in air and underwater respectively. The membrane can separate range of oil-water mixtures with oil/water separation efficiency over ∼99%. Properties of double layered mica membrane were investigated and noted that the surface adhesion properties of mica is enhanced by the hydrothermal treatment of mica and the higher roughness of the mica layer is maintained by the natural mica.
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