Single Probe Cascade Determination of Multiple Analytes by Tandem Reaction of Copper Nanoclusters

Abstract

A new type of red-fluorescent Cu nanoclusters (NCs) was synthesized using ascorbic acid as the reducing agent and 2diethylaminoethanethiol as the stabilizer. The prepared Cu NCs exhibited prominent fluorescence quenching upon oxidation by hyperoxide with low detection limit (0.4 μM). Subsequently, the direct and fast colorimetric detection of carboxylic acid was realized based on the color change of the above oxidized Cu NCs in aqueous medium. The mechanisms of fluorescence quenching and colorimetric response were investigated. Based on a series of tandem reaction (oxidation, complex decomposition and coordination reaction), Cu NCs were successfully applied to detect the hyperoxide and carboxylic acid simultaneously, which further be used to identify the different oxidation degree of 1,4-dioxane. This work provides a new strategy for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes by single metal nanoclusters.