Multimodal sensing system based on phenylboric acid-COF/RhB ratio fluorescence: highly sensitive detection of ovarian cancer biomarker, smartphone-assisted field analysis and information encryption and anti-counterfeiting integration

Yanyan Ma & Wu Yang et al. · 2025-08-04

It is essential to develop an innovative technology with high sensitivity and real-time detection for the early diagnosis of ovarian cancer. The cross-disciplinary application of multifunctional materials represents a significant trend in contemporary sensing research. In this paper, a ratio-type fluorescence sensing platform RhB/TFBBPY-COF@PBA was constructed from the covalent organic framework (COF) co-functionalized by phenylboric acid and rhodamine B (RhB). Rapid, sensitive, and accurate detection was achieved of ovarian cancer biomarker, sialic acid (SA) with a wide linear range of 0.5-400 μM, and low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.53 μM. Furthermore, a simple and convenient smartphone-assisted colorimetric sensing mode was developed by analyzing changes in fluorescence RGB values, enabling on-site detection of SA without professional instrument with a LOD of 3.66 μM. In addition, the dynamic fluorescence response of the RhB/TFBBPY-COF@PBA composite probe to SA stimulation was still utilized to design optical anti-counterfeiting labels, enabling information encryption in anti-counterfeiting. This research overcomes the limitations associated with the single functionality of traditional sensing materials and establishes a new paradigm for the application of COF materials in the triad of disease diagnosis, on-site detection, and information security. It is significant for the integration and development of precision medicine and smart materials.
Authors
Yanyan Ma, Yuli Wei, Hao Guo, Yingfei Hui, Liping Peng, Dengke Zhuang, Wenting Niu, Yu Yan, Yanrui Hao, Wu Yang