Cataluminescence sensor based on MgO/UiO-66-NH2 nanocomposite for rapid detection of isopropanol in exhaled breath

A synergistic MgO@UiO-66-NH₂ nanocomposite was prepared for CTL sensing. • The proposed CTL sensor enables rapid, non-invasive detection of isopropanol. • The sensor exhibits a wide linear range (0.04–120 mg/L) and good stability. • This method offers a potential approach for preclinical lung cancer screening via exhaled breath analysis. Isopropanol (IPA) has been identified as a potential biomarker for lung cancer, and the rapid detection of IPA in exhaled breath may offer a promising strategy for lung cancer screening. In this study, rod-like MgO, MnO₂, and ZnO, along with natural halloysite nanotubes (HNTs), were synthesized and used as carriers to fabricate nanocomposites with a Zr-based metal–organic framework (UiO-66-NH₂). Their catalytic activities toward IPA were evaluated using cataluminescence (CTL) measurements. MgO@UiO-66-NH₂ exhibited the highest catalytic activity, attributed to the synergistic effect between MgO and UiO-66-NH₂ enhancing the redox capacity in the presence of ozone. Based on this composite, a rapid CTL method was developed for IPA detection in exhaled breath. The intra-sensor precision (nine repeated measurements on the same sensor) gave a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 3.41%; inter-sensor reproducibility (seven different sensors) gave an RSD of 3.81%; and long-term stability over seven weeks showed an RSD of 4.3%. The linear range was 0.04–120 mg/L, with a limit of detection of 0.015 mg/L (S/N = 3). When applied to three healthy human exhaled breath samples, the method achieved spiked recoveries ranging from 90.0% to 105.3%. These results demonstrate that the proposed CTL sensor enables rapid, non-invasive detection of IPA and holds great potential for IPA detection in exhaled breath. Download: Download high-res image (143KB) Download: Download full-size image