Synthesis of fluorescent boron carbon nitride nanosheets for the detection of Cu2+ ions and epinephrine

Abstract

In this study, a simple hydrothermal technique was used to synthesize boron carbon nitride nanosheets (BCNNSs) for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions and epinephrine (EP). The as-synthesized BCNNSs showed blue fluorescence under a UV lamp at 365 nm and exhibited 436 nm emission when excited at 340 nm wavelength. Furthermore, the sensing mechanism was studied based on UV-visible absorbance spectra, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), zeta potential, and fluorescence lifetime measurements. The fluorescent BCNNSs exhibited linear fluorescence quenching response upon the addition of Cu²⁺ (0.5–500 μM) and EP (1.0–1000 μM) with limits of detection of 13.93 and 18.49 nM, respectively. The developed BCNNSs are also successfully used to analyse Cu²⁺ in water (tap and industrial) and EP in pharmaceutical samples.