Highly efficient detection of aspirin using novel lanthanide-xanthan gum hydrogels

A commonly employed method for identifying aspirin involves the use of either HPLC or electrochemical analysis. In this article, a highly selective and ultrasensitive fluorescent sensor with convenient synthesis steps for the detection of aspirin was reported. This study introduced a novel hybrid organic-inorganic optical network hydrogel achieved through the integration of a complex of Tb-xanthan gum (XG) into the backbone of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). This hydrogel fabricated in a water-based environment, exhibits weak green luminescence at the beginning owing to the chelation and sensitization of lanthanide (Tb3+) ions by ligands. Interestingly, the green emission intensity observed at λex = 346 nm, is enhanced by dual energy-transfer channels from XG and aspirin. We experimentally demonstrate that luminescent Tb3+-XG complex-binding aptamer hydrogels can selectively detect aspirin from 250 nM to 1 μM with a detection limit of 150 nM in this study. Furthermore, we discuss the resulting structure, thermal stability, excellent swelling properties, mechanical characteristics, and morphology of this light-emission material in detail. The success of this method will open up new opportunities for the use of hydrogels in visual fluorescence sensing applications.