Issue 94, 2014

A simple one-pot synthesis of highly fluorescent nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots for the detection of Cr(vi) in aqueous media

Abstract

A new method for selective determination of Cr(VI) in environmental water samples was developed based on its quenching effect on the fluorescent N-doping graphene quantum dots (N-GQDs). The N-GQDs were synthesized by a simple one-step method using citric acid as the carbon source and ammonia as the nitrogen source with a 65% yield, showing that mass production of the N-GQDs is possible. The obtained N-GQDs with oxygen-rich functional groups exhibited a strong blue emission with a quantum yield of 18.6%, which was 7 times greater than that of graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Due to the selective coordination to Cr(VI), the N-GQDs can be used as a green and facile sensing platform for label-free sensitive and selective detection of Cr(VI) ions in aqueous solution and real water samples. Compared to GQDs, the N-GQDs as a fluorescent probe promises much improved selectivity for sensing of Cr(VI). The N-GQDs fluorescence probe shows a sensitive response to Cr(VI) in a wide concentration range of 0–140 μM with a detection limit of 40 nM. The N-GQDs-based fluorescence method was successfully used to selectively detect Cr(VI), and discriminate it and Cr(III) as well in aqueous samples.

Graphical abstract: A simple one-pot synthesis of highly fluorescent nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots for the detection of Cr(vi) in aqueous media

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 aug 2014
Accepted
08 okt 2014
First published
08 okt 2014

RSC Adv., 2014,4, 52016-52022

A simple one-pot synthesis of highly fluorescent nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots for the detection of Cr(VI) in aqueous media

F. Cai, X. Liu, S. Liu, H. Liu and Y. Huang, RSC Adv., 2014, 4, 52016 DOI: 10.1039/C4RA09320H

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