Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-00541

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Engineering ZIF-67 with heteroatom-doped carbon dots for ultra-sensitive and selective detection of serum albumin in artificial body fluids

Maneesha, M. ; Preethi, P. C. ; Harisankar, A. ; Sreeja, T. G. ; Ratheesh Kumar, V. K. ; Thekku Veedu, S. (Corresponding author)CFEL*XFEL.EU*DESY* ; Raghunandan, R. (Corresponding author)Extern*

2025
Academic Press Orlando, Fla.

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1016/j.microc.2025.113046

Abstract: The development of highly sensitive and selective biosensors is crucial for early disease, health monitoring, and treatment. In this study, Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) functionalized with nitrogen-doped carbon dots (N-CQDs) is designed for the ultra-sensitive and selective detection of serum albumin in artificial body fluids. The N-CQD@ZIF-67 (NCZ-67) composite material was synthesized through a facile and environmental friendly process, leveraging the unique photoluminescent properties of nitrogen-doped carbon dots and the robust structural framework of ZIF-67. The synthesized composite is characterized using FTIR, PXRD, UV–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, Raman, EDS, XPS, and HRTEM techniques. It serves as a highly efficient ‘turn-on’ sensor for detecting bovine serum albumin (BSA) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.2129 µM. The sensing mechanism operates via Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET). The fluorescent lifetime decay analysis of fluorophore (NCZ-67) revealed lifetimes of 2.77 μs and 2.11 μs with and without the analyte BSA, respectively, confirming the FRET mechanism. The high overlap integral value, 2.61 × 1010 indicates a significantly enhanced FRET efficiency. The Benesi-Hildebrand equation demonstrates a 1:1 interaction between the analyte BSA and the NCZ-67 sensor. Additionally, NCZ-67 shows excellence in detecting albumin in artificial body fluid samples, confirming the sensor’s ultra-sensitivity, robustness, selectivity and extending its applicability in clinical biochemical analysis. The recovery percentage of BSA in artificial body fluids is around 92–97 % further validating its potential for clinical use. The study underscores the potential of N-CQD@ZIF-67 in developing next-generation biosensors, particularly for the early detection and monitoring of liver and kidney-related disorders.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Strukturdynamik Chemischer Systeme (FS-SCS)

Research Program(s):

1. 633 - Life Sciences – Building Blocks of Life: Structure and Function (POF4-633) (POF4-633)

Experiment(s):

1. Measurement at external facility

Appears in the scientific report 2025

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Database coverage:
BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; Nationallizenz ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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