Sensitive detection of Brilliant Blue using fluorescence resonance energy transfer with YVO4:Eu nanocrystals as donors†
Abstract
An approach for Brilliant Blue (BB) detection was established based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, where YVO4:Eu nanocrystals (NCs) are used as the energy donors and BB as the energy acceptor. BB could be electrostatically combined with the YVO4:Eu NCs and the fluorescence of the nanocrystals was quenched. Under optimal conditions, the logarithm of fluorescence intensity of the YVO4:Eu NCs was linearly proportional to the BB concentration in the ranges of 2.5 × 10−6–2.5 × 10−4 and 2.5 × 10−4–2.5 × 10−3 g L−1. The limit of detection was 1.0 × 10−6 g L−1. The method was successfully applied for BB detection in juices and candies. This method has a number of advantages, such as the facile synthesis of YVO4:Eu NCs, a simple and quick quantitative procedure and competitive analytical performance.