High quantum yield nitrogen doped carbon dots for Ag+ sensing and bioimaging

• Published in: Journal of molecular structure 2023-07, Vol.1283, p.135212, Article 135212
• Main Authors: Wang, YingTe, Wu, RongRong, Zhang, YuanYuan, Cheng, SiRong, Zhang, Yong
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ag; Bioimaging; Carbon dots; Fluorescence sensors; Nitrogen doping
• ISSN: 0022-2860; 1872-8014
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2023.135212

•A simple method is utilized to produce N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) from o-aminophenol and ethylenediamine.•The NCDs possess quantum yield up to 38.4%.•Owing to the highly sensitive response to Ag+, the prepared NCDs can be developed as an effective sensing platform.•The NCDs are also used in bioimaging. N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) with green fluorescence is developed by the hydrothermal reaction with o-aminophenol and ethylenediamine as carbon and nitrogen sources, and the quantum yield (QY) is 38.4%. The NCDs are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The results show that NCDs have good fluorescence properties and stability, and the NCDs are further utilized as a sensor for Ag+ via the static quenching effect (SQE) (λex=430 nm, λem=510 nm). The linear range of Ag+ is 30–210 µmol/L with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.7 µmol/L (S/N = 3). On this basis, we quantitatively detect Ag+ in real samples. Furthermore, due to the excellent fluorescence performance, the NCDs are found to be an effective tool for Ag+ sensing in bioimaging. Herein, green-emission fluorescent N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) are developed by the hydrothermal reaction of o-aminophenol and ethylenediamine, and the quantum yield (QY) is 38.4%. The NCDs are utilized as a sensor for Ag+, and the linear range is 30–210 µM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 4.7 µM (S/N = 3). On the other hand, the NCDs are further applied to biological imaging, constructing the fluorescence analysis method of Ag+ in biological samples. [Display omitted]