Systems and Methods Related to Optical Nanosensors Comprising Photoluminescent Nanostructures

Abstract

Systems and methods related to optical nanosensors comprising photoluminescent nanostructures are generally described.

1 . A nanosensor for determining an analyte, comprising:
 a photoluminescent nanostructure; and   a polymer comprising a polypeptide associated with the photoluminescent nanostructure, wherein
 the nanosensor emits a first emission of electromagnetic radiation in the absence of the analyte; 
 the nanosensor emits a second emission of electromagnetic radiation, distinguishable from the first emission, upon the polypeptide interacting with the analyte; and 
   wherein the polymer comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, collagen, phenylated dextran or an oligonucleotide.   
     
     
         2 .- 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, collagen, or phenylated dextran. 
     
     
         8 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the polymer comprises an oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         9 . The nanosensor of  claim 8 , wherein the polymer comprises a single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide. 
     
     
         10 . The nanosensor of  claim 9 , wherein the single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide comprises at least 5 repeating units, in succession, of at least one of (GT), (AT), (AAAAT), or (GGGGT). 
     
     
         11 . The nanosensor of  claim 9 , wherein the single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide comprises at least 10 repeating units, in succession, of at least one of (GT) or (AT). 
     
     
         12 . The nanosensor of  claim 9 , wherein the single-stranded DNA oligonucleotide comprises at least 15 repeating units, in succession, of at least one of (GT) or (AT). 
     
     
         13 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the nanosensor emits a third emission of electromagnetic radiation, distinguishable from the first emission and the second emission, upon interacting with a second analyte. 
     
     
         14 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises a carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         15 . The nanosensor of  claim 14 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises a single-walled carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         16 . The nanosensor of  claim 15 , wherein the photoluminescent nanostructure comprises a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube. 
     
     
         17 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte comprises a nitroaryl group. 
     
     
         18 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte comprises at least one of a pesticide or an explosive. 
     
     
         19 . The nanosensor of  claim 1 , wherein the analyte comprises at least one of 2,4-dinitrophenol, 4-nitro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenol, picric acid, trinitrotoluene, or cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine. 
     
     
         20 . A method of determining an analyte, comprising:
 exposing a first nanosensor comprising a first photoluminescent carbon-based nanostructure and a first polymer interacting with the first photoluminescent carbon-based nanostructure to a first analyte, wherein:
 the first analyte interacts with the first nanosensor to produce a first emission of electromagnetic radiation and the first polymer comprises polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol, collagen, phenylated dextran or an oligonucleotide, and 
 determining the first analyte based at least in part upon the first emission of electromagnetic radiation. 
   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising exposing the first nanosensor to a second analyte, wherein the second analyte interacts with the first nanosensor to produce a second emission of electromagnetic radiation, distinguishable from the first emission. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first emission of electromagnetic radiation has a first average intensity, and the second emission of electromagnetic radiation has a second average intensity, wherein the first and second average intensities are different. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first emission of electromagnetic radiation has at least one peak wavelength, and the second emission of electromagnetic radiation has a second peak wavelength, wherein the first and second peak wavelengths are different. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first emission of electromagnetic radiation occurs at a first wavelength with a first intensity, and the second emission of electromagnetic radiation occurs at the first wavelength at a second intensity that is different from the first intensity. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 exposing a second nanosensor comprising a second photoluminescent carbon-based nanostructure and a second polymer interacting with the second photoluminescent carbon-based nanostructure to the first analyte;   wherein the first analyte interacts with the second nanosensor to produce a second emission of electromagnetic radiation, distinguishable from the first emission.   
     
     
         26 .- 29 . (canceled)