In early 2013, it was reported that carcinogenic aromatic amines (CAAs) were detected in school uniforms in Shanghai, and more than 20 thousand primary school students were involved. It has greatly drawn the social focus. CAAs are highly hazardous compounds which are toxic to humans and aquatic life. However, the current analytical techniques for aromatic amines in textiles and feather products, including gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), all require complex and time-consuming pre-treatment before determination. The instruments employed in such detecting methods are expensive and complicated. Thus, there is an urgent demand for rapid and facile method for on-site and real-time aromatic amines detection.<br/><br/>In our previous work, we fabricated a layer-by-layer (LbL) composite of graphene oxide and cyctochrome c, which showed highly improved stability and peroxide activity. On the basis of graphene-biomolecule interface regulation, we have successfully expanded the LbL enzyme-graphene hybrids to a colorimetric assay. CAAs could assemble on graphene surface through π-π stacking to form a passivating surface and then strongly inhibit the enzyme activity. The enzyme activities were evaluated by colorimetric response of 2, 2’-azinobis- (3-ethylbenzthiazoline- 6-sulphonate) composite (ABTS) with peroxide. The working mechanism was well studied by combining experimental characterizations and molecular dynamics simulations. The probe showed high sensitivity and selectivity for aromatic amines over various competing soluble aromatic compounds and was capable for naked eyes or portable devices determination. It was one of the most sensitive optical aromatic amine probe using naked eyes ever reported. Using a smartphone as signal reader, the sensor was appropriate for on-site detection. Moreover, the LbL hybrids could be recycled using simple centrifugalization, serving a reusable platform of homogeneous enzyme assay. This work does not only introduce a rapid and sensitive visualization of CAAs, but also expands the application of biomolecule-graphene interface strategy and further gives a better understanding to the interaction of graphene and protein.

A portable and reusable colorimetric sensor for carcinogenic aromaic amines <i>via</i> interface regulation of graphene-enzyme hybrids

255th National Meeting (2018)

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A portable and reusable colorimetric sensor for carcinogenic aromaic amines via interface regulation of graphene-enzyme hybrids