3-Mercaptopropyl Trimethoxysilane @ Gadolinium Oxide Nanoprobes: An Effective Fluorescence-Sensing Platform for Cysteine

The current work aims to synthesize highly fluorescent and surface-functionalized gadolinium oxide nanoparticles (Gd2O3 NPs) with (3-mercaptopropyl) trimethoxysilane (MPTMS). The surface modification of Gd2O3 nanoparticles with MPTMS enhanced the stability and solubility of the nanoprobe in aqueous media. The size of the nanoprobe was controlled to 7 +/- 1 nm using MPTMS coating. These valued points made the MPTMS@Gd2O3 nanoparticles as economical, highly sensitive, selective nanoprobe with a quick response time for the detection of cysteine via the simple fluorescence-based methodology. The proposed strategy has offered the reliable detection of cysteine in the concentration range of 1-100 mu m with a detection limit of 42 nm. The selective sensing of cysteine in human serum has jointly acknowledged the potential prospect of developing sensors in body fluids with great accuracy.

Automated summary

This study successfully synthesized highly fluorescent and surface-functionalized gadolinium oxide nanoparticles, and enhanced the stability and solubility of the nanoprobe in aqueous media through surface modification. The nanoprobe exhibited reliable detection of cysteine in body fluids using a simple fluorescence-based methodology, with the characteristics of being economical, highly sensitive, and selective.