No abstract

The level of Al3+ is an indicator for many diseases of human, so the selective and sensitive detection of Al3+ is critically important for human health. In this study, a simple and sensitive ratiometric fluorescent sensor for the detection of Al3+ in the aqueous solution was developed based on the inner filter effect (IFE) and static quenching effect (SQE) of the carbon dots (CDs) and fluorescein. The preparation of CDs was facile and green by a one‐step hydrothermal method, using the fresh Melia azedarach L. leaves as the raw material. The fluorescence of CDs at 430 nm was quenched owing to the combination of IFE and SQE while the fluorescence of fluorescein at 515 nm was enhanced upon adding fluorescein. Meanwhile, fluorescein interacted with Al3+ resulting in the quenching of the fluorescence of fluorescein at 515 nm and the recovering of the fluorescence of CDs at 430 nm with the addition of Al3+ into the system of CDs‐fluorescein. The linear range of the ratiometric fluorescent sensor (F515/F430) for Al3+ detection was 0–500 μM and the detection limit was 0.216 μM. Importantly, it had been successfully applied in the detection of Al3+ in the drinking and environmental water.