Nanogel for Selective Recognition of Nanoparticles in Water Samples

Nanoparticles (NPs) represent emerging pollutants that still pose analytical challenges for their detection in environmentally relevant samples due to extremely low concentrations, high colloidal background, and the need perform speciation analysis. They are also one of interfering matrices during analysis metal ions contaminants water samples. Currently, conventional techniques such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) used NPs, but require bulky instrumentation difficult be automated online In this study, we aim develop a nanoparticle-imprinted hydrogel (NPIH, NANOGEL) detect capture NPs The principle Nanogel originates from well-known concept molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Cadmium sulfide/Selenide/Zinc sulfide core/shell quantum dots (QDs) were template NP, creating specific pore cavities can selectively bind certain analytes. Quantification detected was then made possible by transducing selective process into an signal using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). shown demonstrate good repeatability, reproducibility, stability terms its performance. selectivity determined attributed size surface characteristics. Ionic interference present and, heavy cations showed affinity NANOGEL synthesized; however, they demonstrated minimized selection porogenic solvents synthesis NANOGEL. We believe would provide highly sensitive approach aqueous removal contaminated resources. It will serve useful environmental applications.