Issue 31, 2014

Quinoline derivative-functionalized carbon dots as a fluorescent nanosensor for sensing and intracellular imaging of Zn2+

Abstract

Surface functionalization of nanomaterials with highly specific recognition elements, such as biomolecules and organic molecules, has made possible many novel nanosensors for bio/chemical analysis and target bioimaging. In this report, a fluorescent nanosensor which exhibits highly specific recognition capability towards Zn2+ over competing metal ions has been developed through covalently functionalizing carbon dots (C-dots) with the quinoline derivatives which show response to Zn2+. The nanosensor exhibits excellent water solubility, biocompatibility, and cell-membrane permeability, and demonstrates high selectivity towards Zn2+ with a detection limit as low as 6.4 nM. Additionally, the rapid response of the nanosensor towards Zn2+ can be achieved within 1 min. The large amount of recognition units on the outer surface of an individual nanoparticle enables the signal amplification, hence making the immediate and highly sensitive detection of Zn2+ possible. Therefore, a reliable and highly specific nanosensor has been demonstrated for both rapid quantitative detection of Zn2+ in aqueous solution and real-time imaging of intracellular Zn2+, suggesting its potential and significance in bioanalysis and biomedical detection in the future.

Graphical abstract: Quinoline derivative-functionalized carbon dots as a fluorescent nanosensor for sensing and intracellular imaging of Zn2+

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
28 4 2014
Accepted
22 5 2014
First published
23 5 2014

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014,2, 5020-5027

Author version available

Quinoline derivative-functionalized carbon dots as a fluorescent nanosensor for sensing and intracellular imaging of Zn2+

Z. Zhang, Y. Shi, Y. Pan, X. Cheng, L. Zhang, J. Chen, M. Li and C. Yi, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2014, 2, 5020 DOI: 10.1039/C4TB00677A

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