Systems and methods using photoluminescent nanostructure based hydrogels
Systems and methods related to compositions including hydrogels and photoluminescent nanostructures are described. The compositions can undergo a change in a physical, chemical, dielectric, or other property upon exposure to an altering stimulus. Changes in one or more properties of the hydrogel may impart a change in the photoluminescence of the nanostructures embedded in the hydrogel.
1. A method for determination of an analyte, comprising:
exposing a composition comprising a stimulus-responsive hydrogel and a photoluminescent nanostructure embedded in the stimulus-responsive hydrogel to a sample suspected of containing an analyte, wherein the analyte, if present, interacts with the composition to alter a structure of the stimulus-responsive hydrogel, causing a change in photoluminescence emission of the photoluminescent nanostructure; and
determining the change in photoluminescence emission of the photoluminescent nanostructure, thereby determining the analyte.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises a single-walled carbon nanotube.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the hydrogel is responsive to a stimulus comprising exposure to an analyte.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the analyte comprises glucose.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the analyte comprises an antibody.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the analyte comprises an antigen.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulus comprises a change in temperature.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the stimulus comprises a change in pH.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the change in the photoluminescence comprises a change in photoluminescence intensity, a change in peak wavelength, a Raman shift, or a combination thereof.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein altering a structure of the composition comprises altering the amount of cross-linking in the hydrogel.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein altering a structure of the composition comprises altering the volume of the composition.
12. A composition, comprising:
a stimulus-responsive hydrogel, and a photoluminescent nanostructure embedded in the stimulus-responsive hydrogel, wherein the photoluminescence emission of the photoluminescent nanostructure is effected by a change in a characteristic of the stimulus-responsive hydrogel.
13. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises single-walled carbon nanotubes.
14. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises semi-conductor quantum dots.
15. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises semi-conductor nanowires.
16. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises graphene.
17. The composition of claim 12 , wherein the hydrogel comprises poly(vinyl alcohol).
18. A method, comprising:
providing a composition comprising a stimulus-responsive hydrogel, and a photoluminescent nanostructure embedded in the stimulus-responsive hydrogel;
altering a property of the hydrogel by exposing the composition to a stimulus; and
determining the change in the property of the composition, thereby determining the stimulus.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the change in the property of the composition comprises detecting a change in photoluminescence.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the stimulus comprises determining the presence of a chemical compound.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the chemical compound comprises glucose.
22. The method of claim 20 , wherein the chemical compound comprises glutathione.
23. The method of claim 20 , wherein the chemical compound comprises an antigen.
24. The method of claim 20 , wherein the chemical compound comprises NAD.
25. The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the stimulus comprises determining a concentration of a chemical compound.
26. The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the stimulus comprises quantifying a change in temperature of the composition.
27. The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the stimulus comprises determining a pH of the composition.
28. The method of claim 18 , wherein determining the stimulus comprises determining a change in a pH of the composition.