A simple and rapid creatinine sensing via DLS selectivity, using calix[4]arene thiol functionalized gold nanoparticles

• A well-designed colorimetric sensor has been constructed for creatinine.
• The strategy has been used for visual detection of creatinine in urine.
• Calix[4]arene functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) based on assembly.
• The proposed sensing platform is characterized by rapidness and high throughput.
• Developed sensor was characterized by using TEM, DLS, UV–vis, FT-IR and ESI–MS.

A new, simple, ultra-sensitive and selective approach has been reported for the “on spot” colorimetric detection of creatinine based on calix[4]arene functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with excellent discrimination in the presence of other biomolecules. The lower detection limit of the method is 2.16 nM. The gold nanoparticles and p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene were synthesized by microwave assisted method. Specifically, in our study, we used dynamic light scattering (DLS) which is a powerful method for the determination of small changes in particle size, improved selectivity and sensitivity of the creatinine detection system over colorimetric method. The nanoassembly is characterized by Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), DLS, UV–vis and ESI–MS spectroscopy, which demonstrates the binding affinity due its ability of hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interaction between –NH group of creatinine and pSDSC4. It exhibits fast response time (<60 s) to creatinine and has long shelf-life (>5 weeks). The developed pSDSC4–AuNPs based creatinine biosensor will be established as simple, reliable and accurate tool for the determination of creatinine in human urine samples.

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