Detection of analytes including nitro-containing analytes
AssigneeMassachusetts Institute of Technology
InventorsTimothy M. Swager, Trisha L. Andrew
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Abstract
Sensors and methods for determination of analytes are provided. Analytes including explosives (e.g., RDX or PETN) may be determined by monitoring, for example, a change in an optical signal of a material upon exposure to the analyte. In some embodiments, the analyte and the material may interact via a chemical reaction to form a new emissive species. Embodiments described herein may provide inexpensive sensors with high selectivity and sensitivity.
Claims81
A sensor, comprising:
- a compound comprising the structure,
- wherein X is a heteroatom optionally substituted with hydrogen, alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted;
- each R can be the same or different and can be alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted, or, at least two R groups are joined together to form a ring, optionally substituted;
- R1 and R2 can be the same or different and are alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted;
- and n is 0-8;
- a source of energy applicable to the compound to cause an emission of radiation;
- and
- an emission detector positioned to detect the emission.
A sensor, comprising:
- a material comprising a compound capable of accepting a nitro equivalent upon exposure to a nitro-containing analyte;
- a source of energy applicable to the material to cause an emission of radiation;
- and
- an emission detector positioned to detect the emission.
A method for determining an analyte, comprising:
- exposing a material to a sample suspected of containing an analyte, wherein the analyte, if present, interacts with the material via a nitration reaction to produce a nitro-containing compound having a luminescence emission;
- and
- determining the luminescence emission of the compound, thereby determining the analyte.
A method for determination of an analyte, comprising:
- exposing a material to a sample suspected of containing an analyte, wherein the analyte, if present, interacts with the material to produce a change in a determinable signal of the material,
- wherein the material comprises a compound having the structure,
- wherein X is a heteroatom optionally substituted with alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted;
- each R can be the same or different and can be alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted, or, at least two R groups are joined together to form a ring, optionally substituted;
- R1 and R2 can be the same or different and are alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, or heteroaryl, any of which is optionally substituted;
- and n is 0-8;
- and
- determining the change in the determinable signal of the material, thereby determining the analyte.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.