Nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus Co-doped carbon dots-based ratiometric chemosensor for highly selective sequential detection of Al3+ and Fe3+ ions in logic gate, cell imaging, and real sample analysis. (February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohandoss, Sonaimuthu; Ganesan, Sivarasan; Palanisamy, Subramanian; You, SangGuan; Velsankar, K.; Sudhahar, Sakkarapani; Lo, Huang-Mu; Lee, Yong Rok
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 313(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02
• Subjects: Carbon dot -- Heteroatom -- Photoluminescence -- Al3+/Fe3+ ion -- Living cell -- Environmental sample; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137444
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: Heteroatom-doped photoluminescent (PL) carbon dots (CDs) have recently gained attention as optical sensors due to their excellent tunable properties. In this work, we propose a one-pot hydrothermal synthesis of PL nitrogen (N), sulfur (S), and phosphorus (P) co-doped carbon dots (NSP-CDs) using glutathione and phosphoric acid (H3 PO4 ) as precursors. The synthesized NSP-CDs were characterized using different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques, including ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The NSP-CDs exhibited excellent PL properties with green emission at 492 nm upon excitation at 417 nm, a high quantum yield of 26.7%, and dependent emission behavior. The as-prepared NSP-CDs were spherical with a well-monodispersed average particle size of 5.2 nm. Moreover, NSP-CDs demonstrate high PL stability toward a wider pH, high salt ionic strength, and various solvents. Furthermore, the NSP-CDs showed a three-state " off–on–off " PL response upon the sequential addition of Al 3+ and Fe 3+ ions, with a low limit of detection (LOD) of 10.8 nM for Al 3+ and 50.7 nM for Fe 3+ . The NSP-CD sensor can construct an INHIBIT logic gate with Al 3+ and Fe 3+ ions as the chemical inputs and emissions as the output mode. Owing to an excellent tunable PL property and biocompatibility, the NSP-CDs were applied for sensing Al 3+ and Fe 3+ ions as well as live cell imaging. Furthermore, NSP-CDs were designed as PL sensors for detecting Al 3+ and Fe 3+ ions in real water show their potential application. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: NSP-CDs were successfully synthesized using glutathione and H3 PO4 as precursors. NSP-CDs/Al 3+ complex is selectively quenched on gradual addition of Fe 3+ ions. NSP-CDs can construct an INHIBIT logic gate with Al 3+ and Fe 3+ ions. NSP-CDs exhibited fluorescence stability/low toxicity for bioimaging applications. A potential application for Al 3+ and Fe 3+ ions detection in real samples.