{"title":"Triple-Loop Dynamic DNA Nanonetwork with Cascaded Signal Amplification toward Self-Validating MicroRNA Biosensing","authors":"Changyuan Zhang, Jingling Wu, Xilin Zhang, Yuzhe Cai, Mengyu Zhang, Jingling Zhang, Qin Xu, Jing Li, Hongbo Li","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.139002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.139002","url":null,"abstract":"MicroRNAs, critical mediators of epigenetic regulation, govern vital biological processes with dysregulation linked to diseases, yet their low abundance and high sequence homology impose dual challenges on detection sensitivity and specificity. To overcome these limitations, a fluorescence and photoelectrochemical dual-mode biosensor was engineered, employing an entropy-driven circuit (EDC) and DNAzyme-based triple-loop cascade nanonetwork. Target recognition initiates EDC-mediated release of the resulting products, simultaneously activating DNAzyme I and DNAzyme II to produce target analogues (T*), thereby establishing a dual-amplification loop in which T* triggers EDC feedback to form a cascaded amplification nanonetwork. Signal transduction was enabled by CdS quantum dots (QDs), with the response synergistically amplified by g-C<sub>3</sub>N<sub>4</sub> nanosheets to achieve enhanced photoelectrochemical performance. Furthermore, the elaborately designed positive feedback triple amplification system substantially improves the sensor's detection sensitivity. Specifically, the EDC amplification module maximizes the utilization of DNA strands, thereby significantly enhancing both operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the precisely engineered triple amplification nanonetwork combined with magnetic extraction substantially improves the sensor's resistance to interference from potential coexisting substances, thereby enhancing its specificity and stability. Moreover, the dual-signal output mechanism in this design enables mutual validation of the detection results, further reinforcing the reliability and credibility of the assay outcomes.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"116 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145314727","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Qi Xu, Long Yu, Yumin Feng, Hong Cheng, Yuxiu Xiao
{"title":"Dual-Readout Analysis of Chymotrypsin Activity Based on Multifunctional Lanthanide Metal-Organic Framework","authors":"Qi Xu, Long Yu, Yumin Feng, Hong Cheng, Yuxiu Xiao","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.139003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.139003","url":null,"abstract":"A ratiometric fluorescence/chromaticity dual-readout method is developed for chymotrypsin (ChT) activity detection, integrating a multifunctional lanthanide metal-organic framework (Ln-MOF) and an enzyme-activated fluorogenic reaction. A novel non-peptide substrate, 3-hydroxyphenyl-4-bromobutanoate (3-HPB), is rationally designed by coupling the catalytic specificity of ChT with a resorcinol-involved azamanidine fluorogenic reaction. Upon ChT-catalyzed hydrolysis, 3-HPB releases resorcinol, which subsequently reacts with dopamine to produce blue fluorescent azamanidine. In this reaction system, Eu-BTEC, a Ln-MOF constructed from Eu<sup>3+</sup> and pyromellitic acid (H<sub>4</sub>BTEC), serves not only as a red fluorescent internal standard, but also facilitates confined catalysis and enhances the fluorogenic reaction. A ratiometric fluorescence method is thus established to detect ChT activity in human saliva. Furthermore, a portable visual device composed of a UV lamp and an illuminance meter enables ratiometric chromaticity (B/R) analysis. Both methods have low detection limits (0.0107 U mL<sup>-1</sup> and 0.0144 U mL<sup>-1</sup>) and high accuracy (82.4-107.0% recovery). The ChT activities in real human saliva samples obtained by both methods are in good agreement (<em>p</em> > 0.05). This work not only presents a new strategy for ChT activity detection but also introduces a structure-simple, affinity-high substrate, offering a promising platform for future development of sensitive and reliable enzymatic assays.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145314726","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Distance-Based Paper Microfluidic Analytical Device Using Aptamer Functionalized Silver Nanomaterial for Aflatoxin B1 Quantification in Food Products","authors":"Kawin Khachornsakkul, Thithawat Trakoolwilaiwan, Tapparath Leelasattarathkul","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138999","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.138999","url":null,"abstract":"In this article, a simple and affordable distance-based paper analytical device (dPAD) for the quantitative detection of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in agricultural food products has been successfully developed. The sensing assay is based on the salt-induced aggregation of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), which exhibit a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) response. This aggregation is triggered by the specific binding between AFB1 and aptamers pre-deposited on the detection zone of the sensor. When AFB1 binds to the aptamer, the released AgNPs interact with salt flowing through the channel, leading to nanoparticle aggregation and a visible colour change from yellow to orange-brown. The concentration of AFB1 can then be easily determined by measuring the length of the resulting colour band along the channel. The sensor provided a linear range between 0.3 and 0.8<!-- --> <!-- -->ng<!-- --> <!-- -->mL<sup>-1</sup> (R<sup>2</sup> = 0.9986) with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.05<!-- --> <!-- -->ng<!-- --> <!-- -->mL<sup>-1</sup>, with the fast reaction time of 8<!-- --> <!-- -->min. It also exhibits excellent detection selectivity, with no significant interference from other compounds. The method demonstrates excellent accuracy and precision for AFB1 monitoring in food products, including corn, wheat, and peanut, with recovery ranging from 95.0% to 105.0% with the highest relative standard deviation (RSD) of 4.8%. By integrating microfluidics, nanomaterials, and aptamers, this technique shows great promise for the sensitive and selective detection of AFB1. Moreover, it represents a significant step forward in developing low-cost analytical platforms for a wide range of target molecules, making it highly applicable for real-world applications.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"95 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145311164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yuhang Du, Shihang Yan, Ya Wang, Ruojin Zhang, Mengmeng Xie, Hongyan Xu
{"title":"Direct growth of ZnO@ZIF-71 nanosheets on Al2O3 ceramic tubes for fabricating a highly selective and humidity-resistant NH3 sensor","authors":"Yuhang Du, Shihang Yan, Ya Wang, Ruojin Zhang, Mengmeng Xie, Hongyan Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.139000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.139000","url":null,"abstract":"Ammonia detection is crucial for ensuring production safety, ecosystem protection, and human health. In this study, ZnO@ZIF-71 gas sensing elements were fabricated through a two-step hydrothermal method, demonstrating significantly enhanced NH<sub>3</sub> selectivity compared to pristine ZnO. Stability evaluations demonstrated that the developed sensor exhibited excellent long-term stability and humidity resistance, ensuring reliable operation. A comprehensive characterization of the composites, including surface morphology, specific surface area, and surface chemical state, was systematically performed. The evaluation of the NH<sub>3</sub> sensing performance showed that the incorporation of ZIF-71 significantly improved the NH<sub>3</sub> sensing capability of the material. The ZIF-71 coating significantly increased the specific surface area and adsorbed oxygen species content of ZnO, thereby increasing the number of active sites on the material surface. These enhancements enabled the ZnO@ZIF-71 sensor to exhibit a high response (22.6 to 50 ppm) to NH<sub>3</sub>, excellent selectivity and a rapid response (34<!-- --> <!-- -->s to 50 ppm). Density functional theory was used to analyze the characteristics of small molecule gases such as NH<sub>3</sub>, simulate the adsorption sites of NH<sub>3</sub>, and rationally explain the variation in sensitivity of the ZnO@ZIF-71 core-shell gas sensing material.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"58 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145311165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Sine domain spectral transformation combined with Fourier transform: a UV-DOAS-based optical sensor-system for sub-ppb NH3 detection considering interference components","authors":"Fei Xie, Changyin Li, Qi Tian, Bingqian Li, Xuye Dong, Wenbo Li, Shufeng Xu, Yungang Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138997","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.138997","url":null,"abstract":"The detection of trace ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>) concentrations in breath gas is essential for facilitating noninvasive diagnosis of kidney disease. However, broadband absorption spectra methods, including ultraviolet differential optical absorption spectroscopy (UV-DOAS), often encounter challenges related to cross-sensitivity and noise interference for trace breath NH<sub>3</sub> detection. Here, a UV-DOAS-based sensor that combines sine domain spectral transformation and Fourier Transform (FT) is proposed to enable trace NH<sub>3</sub> detection in complex breath environments. First, the differential absorption spectra of NH<sub>3</sub> were obtained by UV-DOAS, and the influence of breath components on the spectra of NH<sub>3</sub> was analyzed. Second, sine domain spectral transformation was proposed to enhance the NH<sub>3</sub> features by mapping the absorption characteristics to the sine domain while attenuating interfering components and noise. FT is then introduced to improve the selectivity of NH<sub>3</sub>. Laboratory results demonstrate that the sensor can detect trace NH<sub>3</sub> accurately under interfering components, with a detection range from 26.58 ppb to 1955.78 ppb. And the Allan variance analysis indicates that the minimum detection limit of the sensor is 0.26 ppb, which is among the best results in this band. In addition, a real human breath experiment was conducted, and the results indicate that the sensor can effectively detect trace NH<sub>3</sub> in breath, demonstrating excellent reproducibility and stability. The performance of the proposed sensor demonstrates that combining sine domain spectral transformation with FT can effectively improve the detection accuracy and break the limitations of spectral overlapping, providing a novel insight for broadband spectra development.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"22 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145311166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A high-performance fluorescence BTEX sensor: film device optimization and optical unit design","authors":"Zhouyu Chen, Leyi Tang, Jiancheng Zhou, Ruijuan Wen, Jianfei Ma, Chi Zhang, Helan Zhang, Zhi-Hao Zhao, Yanyan Luo, Yu Fang","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138996","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.138996","url":null,"abstract":"BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes) are highly volatile and carcinogenic, making their on-site and real-time monitoring critical. Existing techniques, however, are hard to simultaneously achieve ppb-level sensitivity, rapid response, and long-term stability. To address this challenge, we developed a high-performance film-based fluorescence sensor using a highly fluorescent perylene bisimide derivative (P-PBI) as the sensing material. Through P-PBI-based film device optimization and improved optical unit design, our sensor achieves a significantly enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), enabling ultrahigh sensitivity (benzene: 8.6 ppb; toluene: 2.3 ppb; ethylbenzene: 1.9 ppb; <em>o</em>-xylene: 1.2 ppb; <em>m</em>-xylene: 2.0 ppb; <em>p</em>-xylene: 1.3 ppb), fast response (<4<!-- --> <!-- -->s), and rapid recovery (<10<!-- --> <!-- -->s). In addition, our sensor also demonstrates exceptional robustness, maintaining stability over eight months and enduring 1,000 fatigue cycles tests—outperforming flame ionization detectors (FID) generally coupled with gas chromatography (GC) and portable photoionization detectors (PID). Field tests in gas stations, adhesive workshops, and public smoking areas further validated the sensor’s reliability in real-world scenarios. This work provides a convenient solution for on-site and real-time BTEX monitoring, with significant implications for improving occupational and environmental safety.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"41 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145311167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pouya Borjian, Mohammadreza Chimerad, Hyoung J. Cho
{"title":"Eco-friendly molecularly imprinted sensor interface using chitosan-gold nanoparticle composite for sensitive and selective trace-level detection of PFOS","authors":"Pouya Borjian, Mohammadreza Chimerad, Hyoung J. Cho","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138995","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138995","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A composite layer of chitosan–gold nanoparticles (chitosan-AuNPs) was developed as a molecularly imprinted sensor interface for ultrasensitive and selective detection of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). While preserving known advantages of biodegradable, eco-friendly characteristics of biopolymer, technical challenges associated with the limited charge transfer and shape deformation in aquatic environments that impede the advancement of molecular imprinted chitosan-based PFOS sensors were addressed by this work. Incorporating AuNPs with an optimized cross-linking strategy overcame the inherent limitations of chitosan, including poor charge transfer and instability of imprinted cavities in aqueous media, thereby enhancing electrochemical performance and imprinting quality. The resulting sensor, fabricated on a screen-printed carbon electrode, achieved a detection limit of 1.07 ppt, which is well below the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline of 4 ppt for PFOS in drinking water. It exhibited strong affinity and selectivity toward PFOS, effectively discriminating it from structurally related PFAS and common ions. The adsorption behavior followed the Langmuir isotherm, indicating homogeneously distributed binding sites with strong binding affinity. Importantly, the sensor demonstrated excellent recovery and reproducibility in real water samples, confirming its practical applicability. These results underscore the efficacy and practical applicability of the eco-friendly chitosan-AuNP MIP sensing platform for the detection and monitoring of PFOS contamination in aquatic environments.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"448 ","pages":"Article 138995"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145306057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Xiaoya Xie, Long Chen, Zihao Liu, Yanhua Song, Bangjie Zhou, Yangfan Shen, Fang Zhou, Yanxin Wang, Yi Li, Xing Chen
{"title":"Highly sensitive ethyl acetate sensor based on porous Pd-decorated SnO2 nanofibers with In doping and In2O3 phases","authors":"Xiaoya Xie, Long Chen, Zihao Liu, Yanhua Song, Bangjie Zhou, Yangfan Shen, Fang Zhou, Yanxin Wang, Yi Li, Xing Chen","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.snb.2025.138993","url":null,"abstract":"In this study, we successfully synthesized SnO<sub>2</sub> nanofibers with a hollow structure incorporating Pd and In, via a straightforward electrospinning and annealing process. These nanofibers exhibit enhanced gas sensing properties towards ethyl acetate. The structure and morphology of the materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS and BET. The optimized 3% Pd-In<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>-SnO<sub>2</sub> sensor demonstrates a high response value of 163.8 for 50 ppm ethyl acetate, which is 5.5 times higher than the response of pure SnO<sub>2</sub>. It also shows excellent selectivity, a low detection limit of 100 ppb, and maintains good long-term stability and reproducibility at an operating temperature of 190°C. In addition, an integrated mechanism is proposed to explain the excellent performance of the sensor, supported by DFT simulations, which is attributed to the effects of the addition of Pd and In, heterojunction formation, and hierarchical porous nanostructures. These factors collectively enhance gas adsorption and electron transfer.","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"215 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":8.4,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145288918","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shaozhe Sun , Weiwei Meng , Honghao Liu , Yongguang Liu , Jing Zhu , Yuehua Li , Zhangxing He , Lei Dai , Ling Wang
{"title":"A La10Si5.5Al0.5O27-δ based mixed-potential H2 sensor using Au-CeO2 composite sensing electrode","authors":"Shaozhe Sun , Weiwei Meng , Honghao Liu , Yongguang Liu , Jing Zhu , Yuehua Li , Zhangxing He , Lei Dai , Ling Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138992","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.snb.2025.138992","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Herein, a high-temperature applicable hydrogen sensor was prepared using a highly catalytically active Au-CeO<sub>2</sub> composite as a sensing electrode loaded on La<sub>10</sub>Si<sub>5.5</sub>Al<sub>0.5</sub>O<sub>27-δ</sub> electrolyte (LSAO). The CeO<sub>2</sub> addition hinders the sintering of Au and leads to forming the porous three-dimensional structure of the sensing electrode. Moreover, CeO<sub>2</sub> oxygen ion conduction enlarges the electrode reaction active sites, which improves the response performance of the sensor. Among all sensors, the sensor based on Au-40 wt% CeO<sub>2</sub> sensing electrode exhibits the largest response value and the highest sensitivity (-86.20 mV/decade) in 50–2000 ppm H<sub>2</sub> at 450°C. The Pt reference electrode covered by porous LSAO coating enhances the sensor sensitivity and shortens response and recovery time. When 50 ppm NO, 50 ppm NO<sub>2</sub>, 1000 ppm CO or 2000 ppm CH<sub>4</sub>, was introduced to test gas containing 500 ppm H<sub>2</sub>, the response value change rate is + 0.35 %, −1.34 %, + 0.04 % and −0.61 %, respectively, showing that the sensor has excellent anti-interference for those interfering gases. The humidity and CO<sub>2</sub> have a greater effect on the sensor response, and 40 % humidity or 24 % CO<sub>2</sub> coexisting with 500 ppm H<sub>2</sub> causes the response decreases by −19.25 % or −8.89 %. However, it should be noticed that the sensor response signal has a little change over a wide concentration range of humidity or CO<sub>2</sub> (3–40 vol% humidity or 3–24 % CO<sub>2</sub>). In addition, the sensor also shows good stability and reproducibility. The mixed potential mechanism of the sensor is verified using Tafel and polarization methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":425,"journal":{"name":"Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical","volume":"448 ","pages":"Article 138992"},"PeriodicalIF":3.7,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145288917","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"化学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}