One-pot synthesis of multicolor carbon quantum dots: One as pH sensor, one with ultra-narrow emission as fluorescent sensor for uric acid. (May 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Danyang; Chao, Daiyong; Yu, Chunyu; Fu, Yao; Zhou, Shihong; Tian, Long; Zhou, Liang
• Is Part Of: Dyes and pigments. Volume 213(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-05
• Subjects: Carbon quantum dots -- Narrow full width at half maximum -- Multicolor -- 'On-off-on' principle -- Uric acid -- pH sensor; Dyes and dyeing -- Periodicals; Pigments -- Periodicals; 667.2
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2023.111201
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0143-7208

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, tricolor carbon quantum dots (CQDs) including blue-, green-, and orange-CQDs were prepared in one-pot. Impressively, the full width at half maximum of blue-CQDs narrowed greatly to 8 nm, serving as the narrowest bandwidth emissive CQDs so far, to our knowledge, which even compared to colloidal semiconductor quantum dots. Based on the blue-CQDs exhibited highly selective and sensitive 'on-off' response towards Fe 3+ and the outstanding antioxidant properties of uric acid, we constructed 'on-off-on' switching sensor to achieve quantitative measurement of uric acid. The green-CQDs served as simple pH sensor qualitatively judging acid rain based on ultrasensitive spectral redshift property at pH < 5.6. The sensors based on CQDs withstood actual sample matrix effects, pH and temperature change, and long-term storage. The ultra-narrow bandwidth emissive CQDs and fluorescent sensors based on distinctive optical properties of CQDs are meaningful and attractive research directions. Highlights: Orange, green and blue carbon quantum dots were synthesized in one-pot. The full width at half maximum of blue carbon quantum dots narrowed to 8 nm. An 'on-off-on' switching sensor for uric acid. A simple pH sensor to qualitatively judge whether precipitation was acid rain.