Issue 19, 2016

Graphene quantum dots as selective fluorescence sensor for the detection of ascorbic acid and acid phosphatase via Cr(vi)/Cr(iii)-modulated redox reaction

Abstract

A facile and rapid fluorescence assay based on a redox reaction for successively detecting ascorbic acid and acid phosphatase was developed via Cr(VI)-modulated graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Graphene quantum dots with yellow-green emission were first synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method. Based on the electrostatic adsorption of Cr3+ on GQDs and the strong chelation between Cr3+ and the –COOH and –OH groups on the surface of GQDs, the fluorescence of GQDs could be greatly quenched by Cr3+ ions. By the introduction of ascorbic acid, Cr2O72− could be reduced to Cr3+, which resulted in quenching of the fluorescence signal of GQDs. The degree of quenching of the fluorescence intensity of GQDs was proportional to the concentration of ascorbic acid. The dynamic detection range for ascorbic acid was from 0.5 to 250 μmol L−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.28 μmol L−1. Moreover, this phenomenon was further exploited for the sensitive and selective detection of acid phosphatase (ACP). L-Ascorbic acid-2-phosphate (AAP), which is a more stable phosphatase substrate, could be hydrolyzed by ACP to give ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid then reduced Cr2O72− to Cr3+, leading to quenching of the fluorescence of GQDs. Thus, the amount of ACP could be indirectly detected in the range from 0.02 to 3 mU mL−1 with a LOD of 8.9 μU mL−1. Thus, a Cr(VI)-modulated GQDs “turn-off” fluorescence sensor for ascorbic acid and ACP was constructed. The present strategy showed high selectivity for ascorbic acid and ACP. The feasibility of the proposed sensing system in a real sample assay was also studied and satisfactory results were obtained.

Graphical abstract: Graphene quantum dots as selective fluorescence sensor for the detection of ascorbic acid and acid phosphatase via Cr(vi)/Cr(iii)-modulated redox reaction

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
26 febr. 2016
Accepted
05 abr. 2016
First published
08 abr. 2016

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016,4, 3278-3285

Graphene quantum dots as selective fluorescence sensor for the detection of ascorbic acid and acid phosphatase via Cr(VI)/Cr(III)-modulated redox reaction

F. Shi, Y. Zhang, W. Na, X. Zhang, Y. Li and X. Su, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2016, 4, 3278 DOI: 10.1039/C6TB00495D

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