Issue 41, 2023

N- and S-codoped carbon quantum dots for enhancing fluorescence sensing of trace Hg2+

Abstract

Carbon-quantum-dot-based fluorescence sensing of Hg2+ is a well-known cost-effective tactic with fast response and high sensitivity, while rationally constructing heteroatom-doped carbon quantum dots with improved fluorescence sensing performances through tuning the electronic and chemical structures of the reactive site still remains a challenging project for monitoring trace Hg2+ in aquatic ecosystems to avoid harm resulting from its high toxicity, nonbiodegradabilty and accumulative effects on human health. Herein, intriguing N,S-codoped carbon quantum dots were synthesized via a facile one-step hydrothermal procedure. As an admirable fluorescent probe with plentiful heteroatom-related functional groups, these N,S-codoped carbon quantum dots can exhibit an absolute fluorescence quantum yield as high as 11.6%, excellent solubility and stability over three months, remarkable sensitivity for Hg2+ detection with an attractive detection limit of 0.27 μg L−1 and admirable selectivity for Hg2+ against thirteen other metal ions. Density functional theory calculations reveal that electron-enriched meta-S of the unique graphitic N with homocyclic meta-thiophene sulfur structure can regulate this N site to have more electrons and preferable affinity towards Hg, hence achieving enhanced fluorescence quenching due to greater charge transfer from N to Hg after the coordination interaction. This strategy provides a promising avenue for precisely designing purpose-made quantum dots with the dedicated fluorescence sensing applications.

Graphical abstract: N- and S-codoped carbon quantum dots for enhancing fluorescence sensing of trace Hg2+

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
23 Jun 2023
Accepted
19 Sep 2023
First published
30 Sep 2023

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023,25, 28230-28240

N- and S-codoped carbon quantum dots for enhancing fluorescence sensing of trace Hg2+

Y. Wang, G. Xu, X. Zhang, X. Yang, H. Hou, W. Ai and L. Zhao, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2023, 25, 28230 DOI: 10.1039/D3CP02924G

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