Fluorescence quenchometric method for determination of ferric ion using boron-doped carbon dots

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) 2016-01, Vol.183 (1), p.273-279
• Main Authors: Wang, Fengxiang, Hao, Qingli, Zhang, Yuehua, Xu, Yujuan, Lei, Wu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analysis; Analytical Chemistry; Boric acid; Boron; Carbon dots; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemical synthesis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Fluorescence; Fourier transforms; Iron compounds; Methods; Microengineering; Nanochemistry; Nanotechnology; Original Paper; Quenching; X-ray spectroscopy
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-015-1650-1

We report on the hydrothermal synthesis of boron-doped carbon dots (B-CDs) starting from glucose and boric acid. Doping of the CDs with boron was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The B-CDs have an average diameter of about 4 nm and display blue fluorescence which is dynamically quenched by Fe(III) ions. This finding was exploited to design a method for the determination of Fe(III) in water. The relative fluorescence intensity at 359 nm in the presence and of absence ions is inversely proportional to the concentration of Fe(III) ions, and a Stern-Volmer calibration plot is linear in the concentration range of 0–16 μM, with a 242 nM detection limit. The assay is sensitive, robust and selective. Graphical Abstract The stable blue fluorescent boron-doped carbon dots (B-CDs) were obtained by hydrothermal method. The fluorescence of B-CDs was effectively quenched by Fe(III). The B-CDs probe was able to discriminate Fe(III) from other metal ions. The probe shows high sensitivity to Fe(III) ions with low limit of detection.