Development of a halloysite nanotube-based 19F NMR probe as a promising detection tool for H2O2

The 19 F nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has been widely employed as a detection tool in biological studies due to its low biological background, noninvasiveness, high sensitivity, and real-time monitoring capability. Herein, we report a one-pot synthesis of halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) treated with benzeneboronic acids (6FBB) to afford the HNT-based 19 F NMR probe which is capable to detect the H 2 O 2 in low concentration. The product was well characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The intensity of signals of 19 F was enhanced with the increasing concentration of fluorine, and the signals apparently shifted from − 62.68 to − 62.85 ppm upon the addition of H 2 O 2 . The obtained 19 F NMR probes also displayed a long spin-spin (T2) relaxation time (91.27 ms), which can strengthen image intensity. Moreover, the 19 F NMR probe exhibited non-toxic against HeLa cell. The 19 F NMR probe may serve as a desirable candidate to predict the change of H 2 O 2 in vivo.