Potential sensing applications based on Gwal Pahari Acid

Introduction

Different device technologies (solar cells, capacitors, transistors, etc.) have been thoroughly explored using various inorganic materials (Si, GaAs, metal oxides, etc.). Though these inorganic materials are known for providing efficient performance due to their robust electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties, their high cost, toxicity, biodegradability, and biocompatibility issues have remained a major roadblock for their widespread applications, particularly in biological systems. Thus, there is a need worldwide to search for organic, low-cost, biocompatible, biodegradable, and functional materials which could serve as an alternative to the materials in current use for sustainable applications in the field of materials science. Focusing on the natural resources which are available abundantly and making use of these could offer exciting opportunities for researchers.

Methods

Recently, the isolation of a new humic acid from the soil of Gwal Pahari, Gurgaon, Haryana, India, has been reported from our lab. This water-soluble, fluorescent, and ninhydrin-positive Gwal Pahari Acid (GPA) has been characterized using modern spectroscopic techniques, e.g., UV–visible spectroscopy, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), mass spectrometry, ¹H- NMR and 2D-NMR studies, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Zeta Potential.

Results and Conclusions

GPA is predicted to form supramolecular self-assemblies which could help in chelating different metal ions (Fe (III), Pb (II), Co (II), Ni (II), Cu (II), etc.) and phosphate ions. Thus, GPA may serve as a potential candidate for sensing metal ions and could facilitate in curbing the toxic heavy metal contamination found in water bodies. Further, its fluorescent nature can be utilized in the fabrication of a fluorescence-based biosensor where the target analyte could be sensed with changes in the fluorescence signal. Newer technologies based on such materials are not only expected to bring down the costs involved with these technologies but will also help in combating the pressing global environmental issues.