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Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-thermal lens spectrometry (FRET-TLS) as molecular counting of methamphetamine

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Abstract

A novel and sensitive approach has been presented for the determination of methamphetamine (METH) based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer-thermal lens spectrometry (FRET-TLS). Due to the affinity of fluorescein molecules to the surface of AuNPs through the electrostatic interaction and thereby caused reduction of the distance between fluorescein and AuNPs, the best way for de-excitation of excited fluorescein is FRET. The energy absorbed by fluorescein transferred to AuNPs causes enhancement of the thermal lens effect. The thermal lens of the fluorescence molecule could be enhanced through a proper acceptor. Upon the addition of methamphetamine, the fluorescein molecules are detached from the surface of AuNPs, due to the stronger adsorption of methamphetamine. As a result, the fluorescence of fluorescein recovered, and the thermal lens effect of fluorescein decreased. The mechanism of energy transfer was evaluated by two different methods including time-resolved spectroscopy and thermal lens spectrometry. Under the optimal conditions, the thermal lens signal was linearly proportional to methamphetamine concentration in the range 5 – 80 nM. The limit of detection and limit of quantitation were 1.5 nM and 4.5 nM, respectively. The detection volume and limit of molecules in the detection volume were 960 attoliter and 87 molecules, respectively. The method was successfully applied for the determination of methamphetamine in human blood plasma and urine.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge Behnaz Abbasgholi Nejad Asbaghi for help in the preparation of The FESEM images of AuNPs.

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The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

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Funding

The authors are grateful for the support of this investigation by the Research Council of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran.

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  1. Analytical Instrumentation and Spectroscopy Laboratory, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, Tehran, Iran

    Samira Vaziri Heshi & Nader Shokoufi

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  1. Samira Vaziri Heshi
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  2. Nader Shokoufi
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Correspondence to Nader Shokoufi.

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Vaziri Heshi, S., Shokoufi, N. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer-thermal lens spectrometry (FRET-TLS) as molecular counting of methamphetamine. Microchim Acta 188, 191 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00604-021-04842-w

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