Preparation of nitrogen-doped carbon dots with a high fluorescence quantum yield for the highly sensitive detection of Cu2+ ions, drawing anti-counterfeit patterns and imaging live cells

Publication date: August 2019Source: New Carbon Materials, Volume 34, Issue 4Author(s): Wen Liu, Rong Zhang, Yu Kang, Xiao-ying Zhang, Hao-jiang Wang, Li-hong Li, Hai-peng Diao, Wen-long WeiAbstractWater-soluble luminescent nitrogen-doped CDs (N-CDs) having a high QY of 29.83% were prepared by a one-step microwave-assisted pyrolysis method using ammonium citrate and triethylenetetramine as the precursors. The microstructure, optical properties and biocompatibility of the N-CDs were investigated. Results indicate that they exhibit a strong fluorescence, favorable biocompatibility and excellent optical stability. Their photoluminescence is quenched by Cu2+ ions through the formation of a complex between the N-CDs and Cu2+, which can be used for Cu2+ detection. Compared with other CD-based nanomaterials, the N-CDs show outstanding optical properties, and excellent selectivity and sensitivity for Cu2+ detection with a linear range of 0.01-11 μM and a detection limit of 4.5 nM. The selectivity for Cu2+ detection is so good that the N-CDs have been successfully used in Cu2+ detection for real water samples. They have also been used to draw fluorescent patterns and image living cells.
Source: New Carbon Materials - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research