Sensing of Biologically Important Cations Such as Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ Using Magnetic Nanoemulsions

We report a simple approach to the ultrasensitive detection of biologically important metal ions using a magnetic nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsion used in our study was an oil-in-water emulsion droplet of average size similar to 190 nm containing ferrimagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles of average size similar to 10 nm. In a static magnetic field, the emulsion droplets self-assemble into a nanoarray with distinct interdroplet spacing. In the presence of cations in the solution, the nanofluid array shows a large blue shift in the diffracted Bragg peak and a visually perceivable color change due to changes in the electrical double layer upon the diffusion of cations. The colloidal force distance measurements in the presence of cations show large variations at the onset of repulsion in the presence of cations. The sensor shows good selectivity to Na+, K+, Ca2+, Cu2+, and Fe3+ ions and offers a rapid response compared to conventional techniques. This approach can be useful for the recognition of biologically important cations.