A Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer Probe Based on DNA-Modified Upconversion and Gold Nanoparticles for Detection of Lead Ions

We report a new sensor for the specific detection of lead ions (Pb(2+)) in contaminated water based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) between upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as donors and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) as receptors. The UCNPs modified with Pb(2+) aptamers could bind to Au NPs, which were functionalized with complementary DNA through hybridization. The green fluorescence of UCNPs was quenched to a maximum rate of 80% due to the close proximity between the energy donor and the acceptor. In the presence of Pb(2+), the FRET process was broken because Pb(2+) induced the formation of G-quadruplexes from aptamers, resulting in unwound DNA duplexes and separated acceptors from donors. The fluorescence of UCNPs was restored, and the relative intensity had a significant linear correlation with Pb(2+) concentration from 0 to 50 nM. The sensor had a detection limit as low as 4.1 nM in a buffer solution. More importantly, the sensor exhibited specific detection of Pb(2+) in complex metal ions, demonstrating high selectivity in practical application. The developed FRET prober may open up a new insight into the specific detection of environmental pollution.