Retracted Article: Polymer nanodots of graphitic carbon nitride as effective fluorescent probes for the detection of Fe3+ and Cu2+ ions

Abstract

A simple and green route was developed for the first time to produce fluorescent graphitic carbon nitride (F-g-C₃N₄) by hydrothermal treatment of bulk g-C₃N₄. The produced F-g-C₃N₄ dots have blue emission and a high quantum yield, and were applied as a very effective fluorescent probe for label-free selective and sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions; the limits of detection were as low as 0.5 nM and 1.0 nM, respectively. By using sodium hexametaphosphate (SHPP) as a masking agent of Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺ was exclusively detected in the presence of Fe³⁺ ions. Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in real water samples were also detected successfully. This exceptional fluorescent performance makes the probes based on F-g-C₃N₄ dots attractive for highly sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in real water.