Green synthesis of orange emissive carbon dots for the detection of Ag⁺ and their application via solid-phase sensing and security ink

Abstract

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) have attracted considerable interest due to their superior optical properties and facile preparation. In this work, O-phenylenediamine and melamine were used as precursors for the one-step hydrothermal synthesis of novel orange emissive CDs (O-CDs) in an aqueous solution. The fluorescence intensity (580 nm) of the O-CDs exhibited a good linear relationship with Ag+ in the range of 0.0–50.0 μM with the detection limit of 0.289 μM. Moreover, the O-CDs were successfully used to determine Ag+ in biological samples (Hela cells) because of their low cytotoxicity, and good biocompatibility. Besides, the O-CDs-doped solid-phase detection materials (test paper and hydrogel) were employed to monitor Ag+ qualitatively and quantitatively, indicated that the O-CDs had a great capacity for the detection of Ag+ in biological and environmental areas. Based on their extraordinary fluorescence property, the O-CDs could also be used as security ink. Overall, based on their excellent fluorescent performance, the CDs in this study have significant potential for practical application toward solid-phase sensing and security ink.

Multi-applications of carbon dots and polydopamine-coated carbon dots for Fe3+ detection, bioimaging, dopamine assay and photothermal therapy

“…CDs could serve as sensors of lots of materials, such as metal ions, drugs, small molecule compounds and pesticides. Up to now, abundant researches have been proved that the photoluminescence properties of CDs can be applied into selective detection of metal ions depending on change of photoluminescence signal, including Fe 3+ , Ag + , Zn 2+ , Hg 2+ and Cu 2+ [32][33][34]. Especially, Fe 3+ has been proven able to quench various types of CDs.…”

Carbon Dots-Based Fluorescence Assay for the Facile and Reliable Detection of Ag+ in Natural Water and Serum Samples

“…For example, although most studies reported good to excellent LODs, their linear ranges were generally narrow, greatly limiting their practical applications [ 10 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. Some studies reported relatively good LODs and linear intervals; however, their practicality for natural water sensing was not demonstrated [ 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Furthermore, far fewer assays have demonstrated the detection of Ag + in biological samples (i.e., serums) [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ].…”

“…Some studies reported relatively good LODs and linear intervals; however, their practicality for natural water sensing was not demonstrated [ 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Furthermore, far fewer assays have demonstrated the detection of Ag + in biological samples (i.e., serums) [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Lastly, the sensing mechanisms of most reported studies have not been fully discussed [ 12 , 14 , 16 , 21 , 22 ].…”

A facile “off–on” pattern based on one-pot synthesis of N-doped carbon dots for sensitive detection of Ag+and S2O32−

“…For example, Haiyan Bai et al synthesized novel orange-light CDs as an efficient fluorescent sensor for Ag + with a detection limit of 0.289 μM. 17 Xu Chen et al designed a N-doped carbon dot nanosensor based on Ag + -enhanced fluorescence with a detection limit of 0.091 μM. 18 Huifang Wu et al described ratiometric fluorimetry based on blue-light carbon dots and red-light CdTe quantum dots for the detection of Ag + and the detection limit is as low as 1.7 nM.…”