Issue 43, 2022

One-pot synthesis of efficient multifunctional nitrogen-doped carbon dots with efficient yellow fluorescence emission for detection of hypochlorite and thiosulfate

Abstract

CD-based ratiometric fluorescence probes are of great significance for visual detection, but accomplishing this goal is still a particularly challenging task. Herein, nitrogen-doped carbon dots (NCDs) with bright yellow fluorescence were easily manufactured via a one-pot hydrothermal method for visual detection of hypochlorite (ClO) and thiosulfate (S2O32−) under UV light irradiation. The as-prepared NCDs demonstrate favorable water solubility, excellent biocompatibility, superior optical properties and low cytotoxicity. Strikingly, the fluorescence of the NCDs could be quenched with ClO. Based on these results, an original fluorescent nanoprobe was constructed for the highly discriminating recognition of ClO by oxidation of the amino groups on their surface to nitro groups. The assay covered the ranges from 0.067 to 19.33 μM and 24 to 98 μM with a limit of detection (S/N = 3) of as low as 0.013 μM. Remarkably, a growing peak appears at 537 nm and the emission at 492 nm shrinks with the introduction of S2O32−, which demonstrates ratiometric fluorescence emission characteristics (F537nm/F492nm) in the range of 6.6–100 μM with a limit of detection (S/N = 3) of as low as 0.78 μM. In addition, the fluorescence color of the NCDs also changes (yellow-green-blue) after adding various ClO concentrations. The fluorescence color of the NCDs–ClO also changes (blue-green-yellow) after adding various S2O32− concentrations. This excellent ratiometric fluorescence probe was successfully further used for nuclear imaging. Accordingly, an easy-to-prepare paper-based sensor to identify ClO and S2O32− was fabricated, which demonstrated their adaptability for in situ on-site testing. This research further opens up new opportunities for the development of efficient yellow fluorescent probes based on NCDs nanomaterials for visual detection, biomarking, and biomedical optical imaging.

Graphical abstract: One-pot synthesis of efficient multifunctional nitrogen-doped carbon dots with efficient yellow fluorescence emission for detection of hypochlorite and thiosulfate

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
10 Aug. 2022
Accepted
05 Okt. 2022
First published
06 Okt. 2022

J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022,10, 8910-8917

One-pot synthesis of efficient multifunctional nitrogen-doped carbon dots with efficient yellow fluorescence emission for detection of hypochlorite and thiosulfate

Y. Gao, Y. Liu, H. Zhang, W. Lu, Y. Jiao, S. Shuang and C. Dong, J. Mater. Chem. B, 2022, 10, 8910 DOI: 10.1039/D2TB01695H

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