DNA-capped mesoporous silica nanoparticles as an ion-responsive release system to determine the presence of mercury in aqueous solutions

摘要

We have developed DNA-functionalized silica nanoparticles for the rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of mercuric ion (Hg²⁺) in aqueous solution. Two DNA strands were designed to cap the pore of dye-trapped silica nanoparticles. In the presence of ppb level Hg²⁺, the two DNA strands are dehybridized to uncap the pore, releasing the dye cargo with detectable enhancements of fluorescence signal. This method enables rapid (less than 20min) and sensitive (LOD 4ppb) detection, and it was also able to discriminate Hg²⁺ from twelve other environmentally relevant metal ions. The superior properties of the as-designed DNA-functionalized silica nanoparticles can be attributed to the large loading capacity and highly ordered pore structure of mesoporous silica nanoparticles, as well as the selective binding of thymine-rich DNA with Hg²⁺ . Our design serves as a new prototype for metal-ion sensing systems and it also has promising potential for detection of various targets in stimulus-release systems.