A Eu3+-based high sensitivity ratiometric fluorescence sensor for determination of tetracycline combining bi-functional carbon dots by surface functionalization and heteroatom doping

• Published in: Dyes and pigments 2022-05, Vol.201, p.110190, Article 110190
• Main Authors: Yao, Ruihong, Li, Zhijian, Huo, Panpan, Gong, Congcong, Li, Jin, Fan, Congbin, Pu, Shouzhi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carbon dots; Europium; Heteroatom doping; Ratiometric fluorescence sensor; Surface functionalization; Tetracycline
• ISSN: 0143-7208; 1873-3743
• DOI: 10.1016/j.dyepig.2022.110190

A ratiometric fluorescence sensor based on Cu-CDs–COOH–Eu was proposed and used to highly sensitive detection of Tetracycline (TC) residues in complex samples. Combination with surface functionalization of carboxyl group and heteroatom doping of Cu2+, the bi-functional carbon dots (Cu-CDs-COOH) were prepared, which exhibited an outstanding fluorescence properties and optical stability. Thanks to the Cu-CDs-COOH rich in carboxyl groups, Eu3+ can effectively chelate with Cu-CDs-COOH which still maintained excellent optical properties (denoted as Cu-CDs–COOH–Eu). When TC was presented in the sensing system of Cu-CDs–COOH–Eu, the strong blue emission of Cu–COOH was quenched at 467 nm based on inner filter effect while the characteristic peak of Eu3+ at 625 nm was enhanced via antenna effect. Herein, a ratiometric fluorescence sensor was built, which was able to detect TC in the range of 0.4–60 μM with a low limit detection of 36.1 nM. The proposed method also showed a satisfactory result of determination TC reliably and accurately in complex samples. Using an environmentally friendly method, the bi-functional carbon dots were easily synthesized by surface functionalization of carboxyl group and heteroatom doping of Cu2+, which have outstanding optical properties and stability. Thanks to the Cu-CDs-COOH rich in carboxyl groups, Eu3+ can effectively chelate with Cu-CDs-COOH. A Cu-CDs–COOH–Eu ratiometric fluorescence sensor was successfully proposed and applied for detection of tetracycline (TC). In the present of TC, the strong blue fluorescence emission of Cu-CDs–COOH–Eu at 467 nm was quenched due to inner filter effect (IFE), while Eu3+ was sensitized by the TC (antenna effect, AE) that red fluorescence emission of Eu3+ at 626 nm can be observed. [Display omitted] •The Cu-CDs-COOH is easily prepared by surface functionalization carboxyl group and heteroatom doping of Cu2+.•A ratiometric fluorescent sensor is proposed by coordination Eu3+ with carboxyl group on Cu-CDs-COOH.•The proposed sensor realizes a rapid, highly sensitive and selective for detection of TC.•The proposed sensor shows a satisfactory result on detection of TC in complex real samples.