A grinding-free synthesis strategy of persistent luminescence nanoprobes with enhanced optical performance for PSA detection
Abstract
Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs), particularly chromium-doped zinc gallate (ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr 3+ ) (ZGO NPs), provide a radically innovative strategy to push the detection limits of ELISA-based antigen detection into ultralow concentration regimes previously inaccessible. In contrast to our previous work, this study introduces a simplified post-synthesis preparation process for ZGO NPs by eliminating the grinding, hydroxylation and sizefractionation steps required in our previous protocol, while preserving their optical properties and biosensing performance. This approach drastically reduces both preparation time, experimental complexity and equipment. This is particularly useful for a future application of this type of material (particularly for a commercial use), and represents a paradigm shift in the use of persistent luminescence (PersL) materials for biodetection. The newly prepared ZGO were employed in a non-functionalized form, as well as functionalized with detection antibodies (ZGO-Ab D ) or via an avidin-biotin system, offering unparalleled flexibility for diverse analytical needs. Signal amplification using hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), either generated in situ or added exogenously, produced an enhancement of persistent luminescence, allowing improving assay sensitivity. Integration into both sandwich and direct ELISA formats enables ultrasensitive detection of antigens, such as rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), achieving detection limits of 2.85 pg. mL -1 and 3.14 pg. mL -1 respectively, which represent values far below those obtained using commercial kits. Moreover, the assay demonstrated excellent analytical performance, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility across the investigated experimental conditions. Importantly, these systems exhibited remarkable robustness in complex biological media, including undiluted human serum. This work establishes a new fast-prepared nanomaterial for ultrasensitive, versatile, and clinically applicable antigen detection in vitro.
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BibTeX
@article{ferjaoui2026grindingfree,
title = {{A grinding-free synthesis strategy of persistent luminescence nanoprobes with enhanced optical performance for PSA detection}},
author = {Zied Ferjaoui and Ernestine Gaillard and Daniel Scherman and Nathalie Mignet and Cyrille Richard},
journal = {Chemical Engineering Journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.cej.2026.181741},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05805465v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A grinding-free synthesis strategy of persistent luminescence nanoprobes with enhanced optical performance for PSA detection
AU - Zied Ferjaoui
AU - Ernestine Gaillard
AU - Daniel Scherman
AU - Nathalie Mignet
AU - Cyrille Richard
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/19
JO - Chemical Engineering Journal
DO - 10.1016/j.cej.2026.181741
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05805465v1
AB - Persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs), particularly chromium-doped zinc gallate (ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr 3+ ) (ZGO NPs), provide a radically innovative strategy to push the detection limits of ELISA-based antigen detection into ultralow concentration regimes previously inaccessible. In contrast to our previous work, this study introduces a simplified post-synthesis preparation process for ZGO NPs by eliminating the grinding, hydroxylation and sizefractionation steps required in our previous protocol, while preserving their optical properties and biosensing performance. This approach drastically reduces both preparation time, experimental complexity and equipment. This is particularly useful for a future application of this type of material (particularly for a commercial use), and represents a paradigm shift in the use of persistent luminescence (PersL) materials for biodetection. The newly prepared ZGO were employed in a non-functionalized form, as well as functionalized with detection antibodies (ZGO-Ab D ) or via an avidin-biotin system, offering unparalleled flexibility for diverse analytical needs. Signal amplification using hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), either generated in situ or added exogenously, produced an enhancement of persistent luminescence, allowing improving assay sensitivity. Integration into both sandwich and direct ELISA formats enables ultrasensitive detection of antigens, such as rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA), achieving detection limits of 2.85 pg. mL -1 and 3.14 pg. mL -1 respectively, which represent values far below those obtained using commercial kits. Moreover, the assay demonstrated excellent analytical performance, high sensitivity, and good reproducibility across the investigated experimental conditions. Importantly, these systems exhibited remarkable robustness in complex biological media, including undiluted human serum. This work establishes a new fast-prepared nanomaterial for ultrasensitive, versatile, and clinically applicable antigen detection in vitro.
SN - 1385-8947
ER -