Machine learning-assisted fluorescence visualization for sequential quantitative detection of aluminum and fluoride ions

The presence of aluminum (Al3+) and fluoride (F−) ions in the environment can be harmful to ecosystems and human health, highlighting the need for accurate and efficient monitoring. In this paper, an innovative approach is presented that leverages the power of machine learning to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of fluorescence-based detection for sequential quantitative analysis of aluminum (Al3+) and fluoride (F−) ions in aqueous solutions. The proposed method involves the synthesis of sulfur-functionalized carbon dots (C-dots) as fluorescence probes, with fluorescence enhancement upon interaction with Al3+ ions, achieving a detection limit of 4.2 nM. Subsequently, in the presence of F− ions, fluorescence is quenched, with a detection limit of 47.6 nM. The fingerprints of fluorescence images are extracted using a cross-platform computer vision library in Python, followed by data preprocessing. Subsequently, the fingerprint data is subjected to cluster analysis using the K-means model from machine learning, and the average Silhouette Coefficient indicates excellent model performance. Finally, a regression analysis based on the principal component analysis method is employed to achieve more precise quantitative analysis of aluminum and fluoride ions. The results demonstrate that the developed model excels in terms of accuracy and sensitivity. This groundbreaking model not only showcases exceptional performance but also addresses the urgent need for effective environmental monitoring and risk assessment, making it a valuable tool for safeguarding our ecosystems and public health.