A paper-based chemiluminescence detection device based on S,N-doped carbon quantum dots for the selective and highly sensitive recognition of bendiocarb

Abstract

Bendiocarb, a type of carbamate pesticide, plays a crucial role in controlling a wide range of pests. Due to its harmful impact on humans and the environment, the need for inexpensive, portable, efficient and easy-to-use analytical devices has become essential. In this study, an environmentally friendly paper-based analytical device (PAD) with a chemiluminescence (CL) sensing platform was investigated and characterized for the facile, reliable and sensitive detection of the bendiocarb pesticide. It is based on the enhancing effect of SO₃²⁻ on the CL reaction of sulfur, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (S,N-CQDs)–KMnO₄ in acidic media. According to the experiments, S,N-CQDs and SO₃²⁻ both are oxidized by KMnO₄ to generate (S,N-CQDs*) and (SO₂*) in their excited states, emitting at 510 nm. This indicates that an energy transfer process is taking place from SO₂* to S,N-CQDs, resulting in a remarkably intensified CL emission. Interestingly, another emission was also observed around 660 nm contributing to about 20 to 25% of the total CL emission. This emission is related to the Mn²⁺* species produced by reducing MnO₄⁻. The established multi-emission CL system was tested for analytical applications. Under optimal experimental conditions, a good linear relationship was observed between the bendiocarb concentration and the CL intensity of the established CL system. The linear detection range was 0.1–10 μg mL⁻¹, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.02 μg mL⁻¹. Finally, the method was successfully applied for the measurements of bendiocarb in water and juice samples. The obtained recovery values (97.5–105.5) verified the suitable accuracy of the results.